Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 19 - 25 January 2017 Issue 1646 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION Photo by Ayuntamiento de Almeria

19 - 25 January 2017

Photo by Google Street View

ISSUE NO. 1646

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No escape MOJACAR is one of 12 places in Almeria where property owners who built sneaky pools or extensions could face hefty bills and fines this year. Images taken from satellites, helicopters and even drones are compared with property registers to see whether owners have failed to declare any swimming pools, garages, extensions or See page 2 other additions to avoid paying higher taxes.

Brutal assault FIVE dogs were shot and killed and a horse nearly blinded in a ‘barbaric’ attack which is being blamed on hunters in a national park near Granada.

One dog was shot between the eyes, another was shot through the side of the face and one through the roof of the mouth. See page 4

Tourist trap

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Is being called for to report suspected acts of domestic violence.

Woman beheaded

REPRESENTATIVES from almost every Spanish region, city and many towns, are in Madrid for this year’s International Tourism Fair (Fitur). Almeria’s

most famous recent son, David Bisbal, is helping to launch the province’s Fitur offering, making a personal appearance on Thursday. See page 6

Killer had history of attacks on women Radioactive remains By Simon Firth

The man who beheaded his former partner at her Almeria home had a history of domestic violence, it has emerged. The 31-year-old killer was “covered from head to toe in blood,” according to reports as police entered the property. Guardia Civil officers found the body of the woman after neighbours reported screams coming from the property in Huércal de Almeria early on Sunday morning. The man, named as Francisco SG, is said to have been trying to escape from the area when he was arrested. The revulsion felt by many at the attack was signified by a silence held at the town hall in

memory of the woman, named only as Antonia GA. The town hall also declared 24 hours of official mourning following her death which they described as the first victim of domestic violence in Andalucia in 2017. The central government delegate for Andalucia, Antonio Sanz, is now calling for “the whole community and not just the victim” to take responsibility for such behaviour and report

suspected acts of domestic violence. It is understood the killer had a brief relationship with his victim which ended in December last year. Although no reason has been given, he had spent the night in Torrecardenas Hospital on Sunday morning before absconding and making his way to the woman’s home where he carried out the attack. So far at least four women

have come forward to report incidents of violence carried out by Francisco SG. He also has convictions for robbery. Mayor Ismael Torres said the circumstances of the woman’s death had left “a lot of anger and a lot of pain.” Francisca Serrano, from the Andalucian Institute of Women, said a young woman’s life had been taken “because a man thought it was his property and ended it.”

ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCION is going to sue the Nuclear Safety Board (CSN) for “allowing an illegal nuclear cemetery in Palomares,” and there is still no news on the clear-up. Fifty-one years after the accident which saw two American planes collide above Almeria, dropping nuclear bombs onto Palomares from above, thousands of cubic metres See page 12 of earth remain contaminated, the group complained.

Parents’ protest PARENTS of pupils of Albox’s Francisco Fenoy school, which is due to close down at the end of this academic year, are gathering support and have pledged to fight for its survival. In just hours, the parents’ association collected more than 1,000 signatures in support of their cause on change.org. See page 66

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LOCAL NEWS

French connection A FRENCH man has been arrested trying to board a Melilla-Almeria ferry with 27 kilos of hashish hidden in his c a r. T h e Gu a r d ia Civil’s anti-drugs service at Melilla port reported that

sniffer dogs had marked the F ren ch -p la te d Re n ault Megane Scenic driven by the arrestee during preboarding checks, with 89 packets subsequently found in a false compartment.

Testing the water THE number of households illegally connecting to the water supply in Almeria Province in order to obtain free water has increased according to Aqualia, who manage the municipal water supply. The company found that there were 152 cases of fraud in 2016, and household inspections will now be intensified in order to try to control the problem.

Deadly dust-up A MAN accused of killing an acquaintance during a fight in Pechina is on trial at a provincial court this week. The victim, owner of a popular cafeteria in Almeria City’s El Zapillo district, died at the defendant’s home, and prosecutors believe that he was hit 18 times with a large metal lock before his throat was slit.

SATELLITE IMAGES: Will be compared with property registers to determine extensions or additions to properties.

Big brother is coming By Eleanor Hawkins MOJACAR is one of 12 places in Almeria where property owners who built sneaky pools or extensions could face hefty bills and fines this year. The Ministry of the Treasury, aka the taxman, and the property registry have announced that the town, along with Albanchez, Enix, Feliz, Gador, Huercal de Almeria, Lucainena de las Torres, Lucar, Pulpi, Somontin, Vicar and Zurgena, will

be examined this year. Images taken from satellites, helicopters and even drones are compared with property registers to see whether owners have failed to declare any swimming pools, garages, extensions or other additions to avoid paying higher taxes. If this is found to be the case, the local town hall is informed and will notify property owners. A one-off fee of €60 per property is charged to update the register and owners are required to pay the

difference in property taxes for up to four years, plus interest. The inspection scheme has been running since 2013 and will this year exam i ne 1,272 m uni ci pal i t i es acr oss Spai n. Many have cr i t i ci sed t he schem e, i ncl udi ng soci al i st par t y PSOE’s Economy spokesman Pedro Saura, who complained that the €60 fee to regularise extensions is the same for a Marbella mansion as for a tiny farm in the sticks.

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Featured News 3

Our View 6

Finance 31 - 36

Stocks 32

Leapy Lee 37

Daily TV 44

Time Out 50 - 51

Letters 52

Health & Beauty 54 - 56

Social Scene 57 - 60

Albox 64 - 69

Property 70

Homes & Gardens 71

Pets 72

Classifieds 73 - 74

Motoring 75 - 77

Sport 79 - 80

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Barbaric attack against animals By Simon Firth and Matt Ford FIVE dogs were shot and killed and a horse nearly blinded in a ‘barbaric’ attack which is being blamed on hunters in a natural park near Granada. The plight of Illona Mitchell’s animals has led rescue centres and animal charities from around the world to offer their help. Enough money has now been raised after pictures of the animals were shared on the internet, to raise money for a reward to find the attackers. Ms Mitchell, who moved to Caniles from Chester in 2004, owns more than 170 hectares of land in the Sierra de Baza natural park. After she removed her land from the Hunting Zone in the park, she says she was subjected to verbal abuse in the street, threats and intimidation from hunters angered by her decision. After reporting these offences Ms Mitchell says Guardia Civil officers mounted patrols on her land, at one stage

HORSE ATTACKED: Left almost blinded.

even scouting round her land at night. But the attackers then struck on the night of the Three Kings’ celebrations knowing

that officers would be busy and that the following day would be a fiesta. When Ms Mitchell drove up to her land on January 7 she

found dead and dying animals in their kennels and her rescue horse, Rocco, so badly beaten it may lose an eye. Three of the dogs lay dead, two died later at a vet’s and the horse has been left traumatised. Ms Mitchell believes at least two people took part in the attack, one holding the animal while the other fired the shots at almost point blank range. One dog was shot between the eyes, another shot through the side of the face and one through the roof of the mouth. In an attempt to raise the alarm she was forced to bang on the door at the home of a police officer who alerted members of SEPRONA to the crime. “When they arrived they couldn’t believe what they were looking at. It was a vile and barbaric attack,” she says. Ms Mitchell’s friends have rallied, putting her plight on the internet and even starting a crowdfunding page to help raise funds for her vet’s bills and put up a reward to find those behind the attacks. https://www.justgiving.com/c rowdfunding/Illona-Mitchell.

NEWS

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Jail for guilty schoolteacher By Eleanor Hawkins A LEVANTE teacher has admitted to taking photos of underage pupils in the nude and accepted a 5.5year jail sentence. A lt h o u g h t h e Pu b lic Prosecutor’s office initially requested sentences totalling 32 years and three mont h s i n j a i l , t h i s w as modified as the charges of elabo r a t i o n o f c h ild pornography were removed. This, court sources explained, was in keeping with t h e r e v i se d P e n al Code, which determines that to be pornographic, images of minors must have a sexual nature rather

The man will have to attend sexual education classes and pay a total of €28,000 in damages to four of the children involved.

than simply depict them naked. E v en tu a lly th e d e fe ndant, who admitted to having taken advantage of his pupils’ trust to persuade them to strip off and allow him to photograph them,

sometimes in exchange for money, was found guilty of continued abuse and offences against moral integrity. The prosecution maintained its request for a restraining order to ban the de fe nda nt from going within 200 metres of his victims or contacting them and surveillance measures which forbid him from living in the town where the incidents took place for 10 years. He will also have to atte nd s e xua l e duc a tion classes and pay a total of €28,000 in da ma ge s to four of the children involved.

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World tourism focuses on Madrid

OUR VIEW

Help always needed

By Simon Firth REPRESENTATIVES from almost every Spanish region, city and many towns, are in Madrid for this year’s International Tourism Fair (Fitur). On until January 22 at the Feria de Madrid, this year sees a special emphasis on sustainable tourism. Almeria’s most famous recent son, David Bisbal, is helping to launch the province’s Fitur offering making a personal appearance on Thursday. Also showcasing Almeria’s talents is the latest film from actor Adolfo Martinez. Its stand is among the eight offerings from the provinces of Andalucia. This is the market place to be seen in and where all those working in tourism can meet up with like-minded professionals in the trade. Members of the public are welcome to attend the annual event, now in its 37th year, but they are restricted to Saturday and Sunday. A fair of this size not only brings together all those working in the industry, but also acts as a showcase for new services, new technologies and the latest trends. For Madrid alone, the fair represents potential revenue of more than €200

NEWS

TOURISM FAIR: This is the market place to be seen in.

million, according to the organisers, UNWTO. They also point the presence of more than 9,000 exhibiting companies as evidence of the strength of the sector. To emphasise the importance of Fitur, more than 20 ministers for tourism from

all over Africa are there debating the opportunities the sector can bring to the continent. Tourism in the Middle East will also come under the spotlight in the hope of fostering and sustaining growth in this sector.

IT was very encouraging to see various councils around Spain took it upon themselves to try to make sure no children in their area went without any presents over the holiday period. In Fuengirola alone, the council spent just over €11,000 to give 385 children a toy and also assisted in buying food for a large number of families. Madrid issued a directive that if any child had not received a gift by January 6 then the council should be informed. Add to this the generous individuals and groups who operated food banks and donated gifts to underprivileged children and there’s no doubt their combined work was greatly appreciated. Hopefully this generosity will not finish now the festive season has passed as it

continues to be important for individuals to do their bit to help those worse off. Everyone has different preferences. If you can support your local animal charity by giving time or financial support that’s great. Despite tremendous steps forward in medical discoveries, there is still need for cancer care and a whole range of diverse children’s illnesses. Add to this the need for family respite and age care as well as long established charities like the Red Cross, Lions and Royal British Legion and the choice is incredibly wide. At Euro Weekly News we try to publicise charity fundraising. Anyone looking to raise awareness is welcome to contact us and where possible we will promote their activities.

Now we want to hear your views. YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION www.euroweeklynews.com

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Photo Credit: Jay Allen Crown Copyright

Four main decisions regarding Brexit BREXIT PAGE By John Smith THERESA MAY the British Prime Minister made her much leaked speech on her plans for Brexit at a press conference on January 17 with much of the content appearing to be in accord with the recent recommendations of the Commons Brexit committee. There was nothing particularly unexpected in the speech which lasted some 40 minutes but there was confirmation of a number of definite decisions made by the government which will affect the tone and result of proposed negotiations. The four main points of her speech, and therefore her position as Article 50 is implemented, are as follows: • Britain will not remain members of the single market; • Parliament will be allowed to vote on a final Brexit deal; • Britain will leave the customs union but will be looking for a special deal; • She will argue that there could be an extended

MRS MAY: May have already ‘bagged a deal’ with Bill English, New Zealand PM. transitional period that may need negotiation. One piece of immediate positive news is that the pound strengthened against the euro during the speech. In a clear warning to the leaders of the 27 states with whom she will have to negotiate, she stated that if they tried to make this a punitive deal then she would rather leave EU without a trade deal than accept a bad deal which could mean the UK

could consider adopting a revised economic model. The inference therefore was such a model may result in significant corporate tax reductions to encourage international business back to the UK. In her speech, she made it clear that the British public made the referendum decision with their “eyes open” and it is her job to implement their wish for a “brighter future” by creating a Global Britain with the UK remaining a “good friend and

neighbour” to the EU but “reaching out” beyond its borders to other continents. The British government doesn’t want to see the EU split or unravel but recognises that the UK has been an awkward partner for the Union. Mrs May said “We seek a new and equal partnership between an independent, self-governing, Global Britain and our friends and allies in the EU.” She wants to give “as much certainty as possible” which is why the government will adopt EU law in the great repeal bill. Parliament will then decide what laws it wants to change. The overall theme of her speech was there will be no half measures and Britain although hoping to retain a good relationship with the EU whilst continuing to exchange information on matters of security, needs to be separated. One area that is important covers the border between Northern Ireland and Eire and she hopes and expects to be able to come to an agreement which will allow continued freedom of movement across that border. The devolved assemblies will not be ignored and they will continue to have control over many aspects of their own destinies with some returned powers resting with Westminster and others being transferred to the assemblies. Stating she is not there just to supply media headlines, the feeling generally is she has released as much information as she intends and will now ‘keep her powder dry’ until the formal negotiations begin.

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Driver to stay in custody By Eleanor Hawkins THE driver of a car which caused an accident leading to a mother’s death in Almeria City has been remanded in custody as investigations continue. A judge determined that the suspect, a 23-yearold Romanian man named as FB, should be held without bail for the time being and will face charges of manslaughter, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Nabil El Meknassi, the suspect’s lawyer, reported that his client was “extremely upset, not about his own situation but that a person had died. “He told the judge what had happened, he hadn’t been drinking since the night before and was fully alert. He drove through an orange light thinking that as it was early morning there wouldn’t be anything coming,” the lawyer stated.

The driver, the lawyer said, hadn’t fled but gone home to rest and recover from the crash, unaware that anyone had died, and intended to turn himself in to the police later that day. He wasn’t going any faster than 80 kmph, only jumped one light and was testing out a car which a relative had bought, the lawyer claimed his client had stated. The Local Police, however, believe events were slightly different as witnesses stated the car jumped a series of red lights and was doing at least 100 kmph, as reported by Euro Weekly News (edition 1645). The suspect’s lawyer also said that the 36-yearold Mallorcan woman who died in the crash, who was not driving as initially thought but was in fact travelling in the middle of the back seat, was not wearing a seatbelt, so his client could not be held solely responsible for the death.

Stabbed by neighbour THE National Police have arrested a 39-year-old Moroccan man for allegedly stabbing his neighbour in Almeria City. Patrols were sent out after the stabbing was reported at a block of flats in El Puche district, and officers found a 60year-old woman in a ground

floor flat with two stab wounds. The victim, who was still conscious, told officers the man from upstairs had stabbed her. Officers found the knife believed to have been used and set up surveillance in an attempt to track down the suspect, who handed himself in

at a police station a few hours later and confessed to the crime. The victim was admitted to intensive care at Torrecardenas Hospital in a serious condition with two stab wounds to the abdomen and the suspect faces charges of attempted manslaughter.

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Burglary leads to arrest of rental tenants

NEWS EXTRA

Free rides NEARLY 2,800 over 65s hold transport passes which allow them to ride municipal buses for free, El Ejido Council has reported. Three hundred new cards were issued in 2016 alone.

At the fair THE provincial council is promoting Almeria at the Irish Holiday World travel fair at Belfast’s Titanic Exhibition Centre this weekend (January 20-22).

Migrants found A LIFEBOAT collected 44 migrants from a dinghy 27 nautical miles from the coast of Almeria on Sunday morning (January 15). Helimer 219 search and rescue helicopter spotted the craft adrift at sea after a tip-off from Morocco.

NEWS

NEW FLIGHTS: Will run every week from Almeria to the UK.

Getting connected By Eleanor Hawkins JET2.COM airline will be running seven new flights per week from Almeria to the UK between March and October, the Tourism department has announced. Alfredo Valdivia, delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sports at the Junta de Andalucia regional government, recently visited Mojacar for a meeting with local authorities. Mojacar mayor Rosa Maria Cano, Vera mayor Felix Lopez, Garrucha deputy mayor Rocio Galindo and about 40 local business people attended the

meeting, where matters of interest regarding tourism were discussed.

The Junta will be spending about €140,000 on promoting the area.” The airline will be flying twice per week to Manchester and Leeds and once per week to Edinburgh, Newcastle and East Midlands airport, the delegate explained.

Valdivia also informed the group that the Junta will be spending about €140,000 on promoting the area at the ITB travel fair in Berlin, one of the most important in the world. The delegate also reported on the Horizonte 2020 General Sustainable Tourism Plan for Andalucia, a document which defines strategies to boos t grow th a nd em pl oyment created by the sector. The project includes eight different lines of action and 30 separate activities with a budget of €420 million for the five-year period.

AN Almeria couple has been arrested for allegedly running a marihuana farm in a rented home. The National Police began investigating after a neighbour called to report that the home on Calle Vereda del Mero was being burgled. A patrol was sent to the scene and, much to officers’ surprise, the property was found to contain 262 marihuana plants, a sophisticated air heating and humidity regulating system and a hunting rifle reported stolen from Gergal.

The owner of the property was living abroad and had no idea that drugs were being grown there.” Investigators discovered that the owner of the property was living abroad and had no idea that drugs were being grown there. He told officers that he had rented the home to a couple, who were eventually tracked down at their real home in the El Alquian district of the city and arrested for an alleged crime against public health.

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

FINANCE

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As we move into 2017, this is the perfect time to review your financial planning to see if you need to make any changes. To protect your financial security through retirement, and achieve your wishes for your family and heirs, you need a strategic tax and wealth management plan covering your savings and investments, tax planning, pensions and estate planning. You need to consider any recent global and local developments that may affect your finances in the coming year, as well as have a longterm strategy. Any changes in your personal circumstances also warrant a review. Once you have assessed your situation and financial planning, you will be able to discuss any necessary adjustments with your financial adviser. Savings and investments 2016 was certainly an interesting year, with Brexit, the US elections and Italian referendum. Diversification is more important than ever, and you need a long-term strategic asset allocation plan specifically designed around your circumstances, needs and risk

Is Your Tax And Wealth Management In Shape For 2017? utilising a multi-manager approach where you diversify across managers and styles, and currencies. The starting point is to obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, to make sure your portfolio is suitable for you.

By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks profile. Diversification gives your portfolio the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area under-performing. There are various levels you should have in your portfolio: different asset classes; across geographical areas, sectors, company size etc; owning equities and bonds issued by a range of companies;

Tax planning Make sure your investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable arrangement to limit your tax liabilities. Take advice from someone who is well-versed in the nuances of Spanish taxation, otherwise you could see your investment returns slashed by taxes that could have been avoided or mitigated. It is important that your tax planning is up-to-date and designed to take advantage of tax planning opportunities in Spain. Another incentive to review your tax affairs is the global automatic exchange of information regime under the Common Reporting

Standard which is now in force. The Spanish tax authority will receive information on every resident of Spain, without having to ask for it. Cross-border tax planning can be complex, so you need to ensure you are declaring income and paying tax in the right country. Estate planning The first step is to establish your goals. Who would you like to benefit from your estate? Are you happy for them to have control over the money? When should they receive the funds? How much tax will they pay? You then need to obtain specialist advice to ensure that your estate plan is set up to achieve your wishes for your heirs. Under the 2015 EU succession regulation Brussels IV, you can choose whether Spanish or UK succession law will apply to your estate. The default position is for

Spanish succession law to apply to foreign nationals living here, unless they have a will stating otherwise. Brussels IV does not allow you to opt out of Spanish succession tax, which can be costly in certain circumstances. This is due if the asset being inherited is located in Spain or the recipient is resident in Spain. Tax is paid by each recipient, with varying rates. UK inheritance tax may also still apply for UK nationals. Whether it is investments, tax or pension planning, seek advice to ensure you do what works best for your personal situation. Use an adviser who can guide you on all these aspects and provide holistic solutions so you can have peace of mind that your financial affairs are in order. To keep in touch with the latest developments in the offshore world, check out the latest news on our website www.blevinsfranks.com.

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NEWS

SPAIN’S National Police have found Antonio Ballesteros Manzano, a 63-year-old man, who went missing on January 7. The man had disappeared while travelling by train from Almeria to Sevilla and apparently became disorientated when having to change stations. He had been last sighted on January 7 at 8.45pm when he disembarked a train at San

Photo by Greenpeace

Missing man found Bernardo station, instead of at Dos Hermanas, as he had intended. This led police to believe that he might have become confused and lost his way. Mr Ballesteros Manzano was found in good health in Sevilla on Monday and the National Police have since announced on Twitter that he is now “safe and sound.”

PLANE COLLISION: Resulted in nuclear bombs dropping 51 years ago.

No news about nuclear clear-up By Eleanor Hawkins ECOLOGISTAS EN ACCION is going to sue the Nuclear Safety Board (CSN) for “allowing an illegal nuclear cemetery in Palomares,” and there is still no news on the clear-up. Fifty-one years after the accident which saw two American planes collide above Almeria, dropping nuclear bombs onto Palomares from above, thousands of cubic metres of earth remain contaminated, the ecologist group has complained. In its opinion, this means the whole area is comparable to an illegal nuclear facility yet it is

not even registered as a contaminated area. In May 2010, the CSN and Ciemat investigation centre issued a report, which was approved by the European Union, stating that 50,000m3 of contaminated earth needed to be dealt with and reduced to 8,000m3. In contrast, following discussions between Spain and the US, the CSN stated in 2015 that the 50,000m3 would be reduced to 28,000m3. This, Ecologistas en Accion insists, is far from enough. The ecologist group has therefore urged the CSN to do

what it promised to do and warned “if the CSN does not act we will ask the courts to force it to provisionally store the contaminated earth while the US finds a permanent home for it.” The Nuclear Energy Board, Ciemat, CSN and governments were perfectly aware that the Americans did little more than a cosmetic clear-up in Palomares, Ecologistas en Accion claims. Of the nine kilos of plutonium which the two MK-28 bombs contained, just 270 grams were transported to Savannah River, the group has stressed.

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Prostitution ring bust By Eleanor Hawkins TH E Na t i o n a l Po l i c e h a s broken up an organisation which controlled six adult

clubs in Sevilla, Malaga, Almeria and Murcia which w ere s ex u a lly e x p lo iti ng various women, including a 15-year-old girl.

The police force reported having made 17 arrests including the owners and managers of the clubs, believed to have forced the women to sell drugs to t h e i r p u n t e r s a n d c h a rg e extra services and drinks to their credit cards. The group plunged earnings back into the operation, laundering the money through a business network and buying and opening up new clubs. Altogether eight people were arrested in Malaga, four in Almeria, three in Sevilla, one in Murcia and another in Ciudad Real. Officers searched two of the clubs, one in Dos Hermanas (Sevilla) which was closed to the public and another in Malaga, believed to be the group’s headquarters and offices. More than €6,000 in cash was confiscated along with documents relating to the

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NEWS EXTRA

Stabbing reported A WOMAN, 57, was taken to Torrecardenas hospital for treatment after allegedly being stabbed on a street in El Puche. A local resident alerted emergency services.

Fewer rides THE number of people who travel from Almeria to the rest of Andalucia using Renfe’s medium distance rail services has dropped by almost 30 per cent since works have been causing disruptions ADULT CLUBS: Were sexually exploiting women. six clubs, bank statements and property deeds, compute r s ys te ms , mobile phones and memory sticks, which are currently being analysed by computer experts. Investigations began in March 2016 following reports lodge d by va rious women who told police offi-

cers they had been sexually exploited at clubs in Sevilla, Malaga, Almeria and Murcia. The gr oup consi st s of mostly Spanish citizens who allegedly enticed women to wor k at t hei r cl ubs t hen threatened them and forced them to work and live in humiliating conditions.

Children injured THREE children, a threeyear-old girl and two boys aged nine and 11 and a 31year-old woman were injured when two cars collided on Calle Acacias in La Mojonera.

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Persistent thieves By Eleanor Hawkins

SAN CRISTOBAL: Copper thieves have little respect for religion.

COPPER thieves in Almeria City are proving to be particularly persistent and to have little respect for religion, targeting the lighting at the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus monument in San Cristobal on various occasions. Back in November, after electrical cables had been stolen from the monument a number of times, the counc il de c ide d to ma ke the lighting system thief-proof by placing the wires under concrete slabs. However, this has proved insufficient and, much to the surprise of the authorities and local residents, the monument was once again plunged into darkness one

re c e nt night a s the w ire s went missing yet again. This time, the council has announced after studying different solutions, the cable s w ill be burie d unde r cement in an attempt to put a halt to the thefts. “The only way to get at them would be to smash through the cement,” Municipal Services councillor Juan Jose Alonso reported. The city council has also had to adopt similarly drastic measures with regards to other items such as manhole covers. Soldering the covers into place has proved to be quite a good deterrent. Yet the council still estimates the cost to the municipal coffers of building mate ria ls a nd othe r ite ms stolen at €13,500.

Joining forces for water AGRICULTURAL groups and universities from Almeria, Alicante and Murcia have joined forces to highlight and attempt to solve the problem of a deficit of water resources in eastern Spain. The group intends to raise awareness of the problems

suffered in the Levante due to droughts and to seek and demand solutions. Members wish to remove emotions from the table and allow the matter to be dealt with in a scientific, productive and environmentally respectful manner.

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NEWS

Young and free By Eleanor Hawkins THIRTY graffiti artists from across Spain will be competing for more than €2,000 in prizes in Vicar. Eight individuals, five pairs and four trios have been shortlisted for the final on January 21 and will have from 10am to 7pm to adorn Jose Cano de La Gangosa sports hall with their work. The competition is part of the 13th edition of Hip Hop Street Vicar and participants come from Gijon, Tenerife,

Sevilla, Madrid, Malaga, Castellon, Alicante, Valencia, Cadiz, Cordoba and Almeria. The artist who creates the winning piece of graffiti will win €1,000 while second prize will be €700 and third prize €500. The panel of judges will be formed by last year ’s winners, GFX and Leon from Alicante and Eneko from Navarra. Youth councillor Almudena Jimenez said: “the graffiti competition is more popular than ever as it is organised by young, local graffiti artists. Daniel Fernandez ‘Coma,’ a long-standing promotor of graffiti in Almeria, also collaborates. His work is known at an international level and he is well known in Almeria for having decorated a lot of the city and province.” Hip Hop Street Vicar is an international festival which brings different arts and sports together, all in a free event which is aimed at and

GRAFFITI COMPETITION: For young artists.

focuses on youths. About 15,000 people from all over Almeria Province and further afield are expected this year for the festival, which along with the graffiti competition includes concerts, breakdance competi-

tions, rap, basketball and parkour. The council also stressed that the health authorities would be taking advantage of the event to set up information stands and distribute leaflets on STIs.

Mobile bank branch ALMERIA-based bank Cajamar will be swapping offices in 17 small rural villages across the province for a mobile branch to cut down on costs.

The vi l l ages aff ect ed, which include Somontin, Bentarique, Doña Maria and Santa Fe de Mondujar, are all extremely small, rural and mostly inhabited by el-

derly people, the bank management explained. Whereas at the moment they have small branches which are open for just a few hours a week, as of January 30 these will close down and be replaced by the mobile unit. The van, Cajamar representatives said, includes an ATM m achi ne and a cust om er ser vi ce off i ce and will travel between the villages to guarantee financial services for residents. Bearing in mind that most of the inhabitants of these ar eas ar e el der l y and not used t o usi ng el ect r oni c banking services, they will be attended at the mobile off i ce and wi l l , i n m any cases, receive a better service than in the past, bank sources claimed. In other, larger villages t he bank al so i nt ends t o close down its branches to reduce outgoings but a ‘financial agent’ will continue to work in each area.

NEWS

www.euroweeklynews.com

Railway delays ‘inexcusable’ By Eleanor Hawkins THE regional government representative for Almeria has urged the Spanish government to get a move on with the high speed railway line between Murcia and Almeria, work on which has been halted for more than four years. Gracia Fernandez, the Junta de Andalucia regional government delegate for Almeria, said the delay to the stretch of line between Pulpi and Cuevas del Almanzora was “inexcus ab l e a n d v e r y b ad fo r th e province,” stressing that €417 million budgeted for the works between 2013 and 2016 have been lost. Fernandez visited Bedar, Cuevas del Almanzora, Los Gallardos, Garrucha, Huercal-Overa, Mojacar, Turre, Pulpi and Vera accompanied by provincial delegates and coordinators to discuss the effects of the delays to the AVE high speed rail connec-

GRACIA FERNANDEZ: Paid a visit.

tion on the municipalities it is due to pass through. The delegate also spoke to local mayors about the specific needs of each town and village and asked how work was going to repair damage caused by recent floods.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

A call for food AN annual campaign to take food to Saharan refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, will be collecting at various places in the province until January 27. Almeria Provincial Council is collaborating with the Caravan for Peace charity campaign, which has been running since 1990 to provide assistance to the camps in the form of much-needed food. At a press conference, provincial Social Welfare Delegate Angel Escobar and Amigos del Sahara Association representatives Jose Manuel Soria and Victoria Ramos urged everyone who can to donate something to the campaign. The association, Escobar said, plays an important role in defending the rights and meeting the needs of Saharan refugees with regular campaigns all year round. The provincial council, he explained, is collaborating by running three collection points at its facilities in the city on Rambla Alfareros,

Hermanos Machado and at the Palacio Provincial. “It’s vital we raise awareness amongst the people of Almeria of the problems these refugees suffer, especially as the only food they have comes from humanitarian aid and there is a very high percentage of child malnutrition. Many of these children have known nothing except life in these camps,” Escobar said. “We ask mostly for oil, rice and sugar, but all nonperishable foodstuffs are welcome due to the delicate situation in the camps, where any food that gets in comes from outside and there isn’t always enough for everyone,” Ramos explained. Jose Manuel Soria added that there are also collections points at Galeria Acanto on Calle Javier Sanz in Almeria City, at the association headquarters on Calle La Venta in Aguadulce and at the Guadalinfo centre in Tijola. The association hopes to beat the 4,500 kilos of food it managed to collect last year.

NEWS

Secon

CABO DE GATA: Is suffering fro By Eleanor Hawkins THE socialist opposition at Almeria City Hall has complained that Cabo de Gata district is suffering a lack of police presence, leading to a wave of vandalism and an unsafe feeling amongst its residents. As multiple rubbish bins have been burned and bus shelters bashed to bits, PSOE councillors complained that calls to the Local Police are often left unanswered as

NEWS

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

d class suburbs

om a lack of police presence, leading to a wave of vandalism. there are insufficient patrols. The district, some distance from the city centre, is too far off the beaten track for patrols to be sent out to more than the most important calls, complained councillor Consuelo Rumi, and the same occurs in other suburbs including El Alquian and La Cañada. “Officers are overworked due to the Partido Popular council’s refusal to take on

These incidents are not isolated crimes. more staff and ensure the Local Police force has enough human resources to meet the needs of a city with more than 195,000 inhabitants and suburbs which are a long way from the cen-

tre,” Rumi complained. “The mayor of Almeria needs to take this matter seriously because, sadly, the incidents in Cabo de Gata are not isolated crimes, they are also happening in other districts, where people also feel unsafe and unhappy as they know most of their calls for help remain unanswered due to the lack of police officers,” the councillor stressed.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

Prizes for winning windows MOJACAR Council’s Christmas activities ended with an announcement of the winners of the third Christmas Window Display Competition. Boutique Palme at the Parque Comercial was awarded first prize in the competition, which attracted a large number of participants. This year, the public voted for their favourite displays via Facebook and Palme received 825 likes, and a €500 prize. Second was tobacconists La Fuente with 660 likes and a prize of €300, while La Vuelta de las Golondrinas in Mojacar’s old town received €100 for coming in third place. The council congratulated participants on the quality of their displays.

COMMUNITY

Indalo Players over until nex

INDALO PLAYERS: The colourful cast of Robinson Crusoe can fi ANOTHER New Year... another pantomime. Having worked so hard for four months; building the set, making costumes, locating props and learning so many lines... the colourful cast of Robinson Crusoe can finally put it all ‘behind’ them. But rest assured The Indalo Players will return again next year... ‘oh yes they will!!!’ As if there wasn’t enough drama one of the cast members ended up in a cast. Poor Sandra unfortu-

nately slipped on the stairs back stage during the second half and landed badly on her right arm. Like a true trouper she carried on and only after the show had finished went to the hospital only to discover that she had broken two bones in her wrist! The Indalo Players would like to thank everyone who came to support the three performances which attracted almost 200 people. All the proceeds will support local

COMMUNITY

s’ panto xt year

inally put it all ‘behind them.’ charities, with proceeds from tickets sales going to Vera Orphanage and PAWS-Patas cat neutering programme. Refreshments were supplied by Stepping Stones which will help their Alzheimer’s charity and programme monies will be given to MACS. The Indalo Players would like to send a special thank you to Vera Town Hall who let them use the El Cine Teatro venue in Vera free of charge.

www.euroweeklynews.com

Car boot sale BAR EL ALMENDRO, in La Mela, Sorbas will be hosting a car boot sale on Saturday February 4 from 10am until 1pm. Stall holders should arrive at 9am. There will be several charity stalls including PAWS which are free of charge. If anyone has any unwanted items that they would like to donate please

drop these off to the bar. These will then be given to the various charity stalls to sell and raise funds. Tea, coffee, breakfast rolls and cakes will also be available in the bar. You can find Bar el Almendro on the A1101 Sorbas to Lubrin road at 8km. For more information please contact karenl loyd0204@gmail.com.

Facts and legends of the Turre area DAMES IN TURRE’S first meeting of 2017 will be held at The Hostel Rural Turre, on Monday January 30 at 11am and the speaker will be David Jackson. David will be providing facts and legends of the area. It should be very interesting so go along and find out things you never knew. Dames in Turre is a friendship club which raises money for local charities. Why not pop along and see for yourself? New members and guests are always welcome. For more information please contact the secretary, Pam Smith, on 677 543 031 or President Lesley Barlow on 661 085 551.

Lions help out the gymnastics club

LIONS CLUB: Were delighted to hand over a cheque for €1,500 to Stacey Smith. ON Wednesday January 11 Pam Mattioli and Sandie Tinkham from Vera and District Lions Club were delighted to hand over a cheque for €1,500 to Stacey Smith from Adelante Gimnasia Artistica Arboleas. The Club desperately needs

a sprung track and with this donation now has enough money to purchase one. The club moved into its new home in October and has been busy fundraising ever since. Fundraising will continue as more equipment is still needed.

If you would like more information about Vera and District Lions Club and the work it does, please contact Pam Mattioli on 610 309 032 or Sandie Tinkham on 950 439 324. Stacey, from the gymnastics club, can be contacted on 622 129 702.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

EUROPEAN PRESS

DENMARK

GERMANY

Best burger

Snowman damage A SNOWMAN on a train track in northern German resulted in €5,000 worth of damage to the train as the driver quickly hit the brakes unable to distinguish between whether it was a snowman or an actual person.

COPENHAGEN’S Gasoline Grill has been named as one of the best burger joints around the world according to US media group Bloomberg, which selected 27 venues globally with most in either New York, London or LA.

BURGER JOINT: One of the best in the world.

GDP increase

Safe skies

Sustainable student

Airbnb limit

THE annual report from Airline Ratings has named SAS as being among the safest airlines in the skies and ranked it in the top 20 after assessing 425 airlines.

THE new campus of the Copenhagen International School, has reopened incorporating new architecture and sustainability in a bid to create and promote sustainable living.

COPENHAGEN’S mayor has made suggestions that the capital follows the lead of other major European cities and limits how long a property can be rented out for through site Airbnb.

FRANCE

Elle awards FRENCH movie Elle, described as a rape-revenge thriller, has won two

GERMAN car maker Volkswagen is pleading guilty to criminal charges in the USA relating to the diesel emissions scandal. The company will pay $4.3 billion (€4 billion) in fines.

Sweet concern SECURITY was on high alert after an unidentified powder was posted to German courthouses. The powder sparked concerns but was found to be sugar.

BELGIUM

Corruption complaints

Kardashian arrest SIXTEEN people were arrested in the Paris region in connection with the robbery of American reality star Kim Kardashian who had around €9m worth of jewellery stolen from her apartment.

G ERMANY has r ecor ded a gross domestic product (GDP) increase of 1.9 per cent in 2016, the hi ghest i ncr ease i n f i ve years.

Record fines

Golden Globes for French actress Isabelle Huppert and veteran director Paul Verhoeven.

women in his car and had planned to help them reach Marseille.

Production plea

Illegal help A FRENCHMAN accused of giving a lift to three illegal immigrants, has been acquitted by a Nice court. The 45-yearold teacher was stopped with three

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Marine Le Pen has vowed to bring car production back to France with a return Renault and Peugeot Citroen, similar to what Donald Trump aims to do in America.

SWEDEN

HOLLAND

Housing crisis

Top names

STOCKHOLM’S Housing Agency has reported that there are now over half a million people waiting to rent an apartment through them. This marks an increase of almost 40,000 in 2016.

THE names Daan and Anna were the most popular baby names in the Netherlands last year with 681 Daans born and 665 baby girls were named Anna. The top spots were previously held by Liam and Emma.

Crime stats

Pre-crisis levels

INITIAL crimes figures for last year report that fraud and crimes against the individual increased last year, but cases of drugs crimes fell.

ACCORDING to the Dutch real estate agency association NVM, house prices are now almost back to their pre-crisis level. The average price for a home is currently €248,000, 20 per cent higher than when prices plunged in 2013.

London bound THE Abba-themed venue, Mamma Mia The Party, which opened in Stockholm last year, could be headed to London in spring 2018. The event sees guests in a fictional tavern eating Greek food as they watch a Mamma Mia style stage show.

Panda approval A DUTCH zoo has spent €7 million on a new compound to house a pair of giant pandas from China. The facility has now been approved by Chinese zoo inspectors who said it was “incredibly beautiful.”

Top name

Strained services

THE name ‘Leia’ has entered the top 100 most popular dog names in Sweden for the first time, believed to be inspired by the release of the new Star Wars movies. Molly is currently the most popular name amongst registered dogs.

SEVERAL hospitals have stopped admitting new patients because of the flu epidemic. An increase in the number of elderly residents suffering is straining medical services in some parts of the country.

BELGIUM has been criticised for not putting in place any of the 15 recommendations made to help prevent corruption of deputies, judges and prosecutors.

Social support KING PHILIPPE received around 50,000 letters last year. Of these, some 769 people received financial support of €200 after the letters were passed to the palace’s ‘social’ and then the Public Welfare Service.

Beauty ban THE Flemish parliament wants beauty pageants for children to be stopped claiming that such events for those under 16 are unacceptable and should be formally banned.

Tourism boost TOURISM in Brussels has reportedly picked up in recent weeks following a downturn after the attacks last March. Brussels will increase its efforts to promote the city through a campaign across Europe.

NORWAY

More radical MASS murderer Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011 for their ‘multicultural’ vie ws, cl ai m s hi s f i ve- year pris o n i sol at i on has m ade him even m or e r adi cal as he gives evidence against the state for treating him ‘inhumanely.’

Abuse case A N ORWEGI AN paedophi l i a ring has been disbanded. Police have filed charges against 51 individuals involved in what is thought to be one of the largest child sexual abuse cases ever in Norway.

Threatening case A MAN, aged 66, has been charged with threatening a female district court judge. His legal representative did not deny he sent the email, but said that he was not making a threat against her.

Local beer SUPERMARKET Rema has said it will focus more on stocking beer from local microbreweries. The move has upset Tromso brewery Mack, which said its sales will fall so much as a result and they will have to make redundancies.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

RUSSIAN PRESS

Rich teenage kicks

VLADIMIR ZHIRINOVSKY: Wants to send joyriders into exile. A LEADING politician suggested that rich teenage joyriders should be exiled to Russia’s remote regions. Liberal Democratic party chief Vladimir Zhirinovsky said five years exile from Moscow would terrify nuisance street racers who wouldn’t have their parents to help them in Siberia’s frozen wastelands.

Golden boy KREMLIN officials ridiculed reports that Russian intelligence services had collected compromising material on Donald Trump. Unverified sources claimed that the President-elect hired prostitutes to perform ‘golden showers’ in a Moscow hotel room. Putin’s spokesman called the story ‘pulp fiction.’

Moscow mules AN OECD report found that Russians spent an average of 1,978 hours working during 2015, far more than the average Brit who clocked up 1,674 hours, or Spaniards who managed 1,691. But despite Russians working more, productivity is far lower due to many people working hard manual jobs around the home.

Topical taboos SEX, suicide and death are the topics Russians are least likely to discuss around the dinner table. One in three peo-

ple polled thought the subjects far too unpleasant to mention to family or friends. Another taboo topic was the ‘dark pages of Russian history.’

Fortunes soar RUSSIA’s richest people have seen their pockets swell by almost €30 billion following Donald Trump’s election. Collective bank balances grew by 7.9 per cent as the rouble gathered strength and energy companies gained confidence.

The new president is also expected to weaken sanctions.

Guru grudge A YOGA teacher is on trial for illegal missionary work after giving a talk on the practice’s spiritual roots. Dmitry Ugai claims he was shopped to the government by an Orthodox activist who harbours a grudge against spirituality after his wife left him to join a cult and live with a Hindu guru.

Family affair A NEW bill planning to decriminalise domestic violence within the family has passed the first stage of legislation. It was proposed by conservative lawmaker Yelena Mizulina who believes linking domestic assault with violence between strangers is ‘anti-family.’ YELENA MIZULINA: Proposed a new bill.

FINANCE

Costa de Almería

19 - 25 January 2017

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

THERE seems to be a certain irony in the fact the RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland) which is 73 per cent owned by the British government is likely to be fined an extremely large amount of money by the US government. The whole problem revolves around its involvement in what is known as the sub-prime market in the USA where it acted recklessly alongside plenty of other national and international banks.

Quote of the Week

$10 billion (€9.5 billion) as a fine from the US government would probably be seen as a reasonable amount for RBS to have to pay. More could be problematical.

Barclays has decided not to settle with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and is going to court to argue that as they were only a small play-

BUSINESS EXTRA

Photo Credit: Policy Exchange Wikimedia.

More in work

XAVIER ROLET: Head of the London Stock Exchange. By John Smith AS the UK moves closer to the final triggering of Article 50, so different committees in Parliament continue to interview senior businessmen asking their opinion on the future and how the economy is likely to cope with Brexit. In the latest round of enquiries, the Treasury Select Committee interviewed a number of influential financial figures, one of whom was Xavier Rolet the head of the London

er in this market they should not pay huge fines and that the DOJ has favoured US banks, fining them far less than foreign banks.

Signs are appearing... that the weaker pound is benefiting the economy, especially in terms of rising goods exports,” Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit

Five year Brexit

Stock Exchange. In his statement, he warned that a two-year negotiation was likely to be far too short and that Britain faced a massive desertion of financial jobs from the City of London to other EU member states unless sensible and clear agreements could be made. To this end therefore, he recommended that Mrs May should look for a five-year rather than two-year exit plan, especially as so many stock sales were made in euros.

UNEMPLOYMENT continues to reduce in Spain and the 2016 figure was down by 9.5 per cent compared to 2015 according to the ministry of labour with 3.7 million still out of work, but many of the newly employed are on short term contracts.

Malta teasers AS the EU’s smallest member Malta takes over the presidency, a group of MEPs has accused it of being a tax haven, helping multinational companies avoid payment of more than €14 billion in tax which should have been paid to member states.

Increased turnover RESULTS from Sainsbury’s during Christmas week have surprised analysts by showing an increase in turnover rather than the expected drop, which in turn has led to a healthy growth in the share price thanks in part to the takeover of the Argos Group.

Tourism is still important GIVING a hint as to the results of the most popular holiday destinations in the world (due to be announced on January 17), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation has revealed that Spain’s figure was 10 per cent up on 2015.

the amount that Volkswagen has agreed in principle to pay $4.3 billion (€4.10 billion) -toisthe US authorities to settle the emissions scandal.

A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

RBS faces another hurdle By John Smith

EWN

With just under 75 million visitors, tourism brought an estimated €60 billion to the country, some of which will have been thanks to the reduction in visitors to Turkey caused by security fears.

It seemed that Deutsche Bank could have gone under when it was threatened with a $14 billion (€13.3 billion) fine and then settled at $7.2 billion (€6.85 billion) with the company still intact. By the time that a decision is made with RBS, there will be a change of president as well as director of the DOJ, so it will be something of a tight rope walk as the British government lobbies on behalf of the bank whilst the Americans look to make as much money as possible.

Bank bail-out cost ACCORDING to a report issued by the Spanish Court of Auditors on January 10, the actual provision made for the cost of ‘bailing out’ the banks in the period of 2009 to 2015 is recorded as €122.122 billion. This figure does not take into account potential income which could be raised from the probable sale of shares in banks held by the government, which includes Bankia and BMN and the actual amount actually expended is the slightly less eye watering €60.718 billion at the end of 2015. Time will tell whether either figure will reduce depending on market fluctuations.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 16

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group PLC 724.50 -1.00 Admiral Group PLC 1765.00 -10.00 Anglo American PLC 1367.75 38.00 Antofagasta PLC 741.00 16.00 Ashtead Group PLC 1623.00 23.00 Associated British Foods PLC 2579.50 -1.00 AstraZeneca PLC 4650.25 41.00 Aviva PLC 483.10 -6.10 Babcock International Group... 951.50 -3.00 BAE Systems PLC 611.00 -0.50 Barclays PLC 232.22 -3.05 Barratt Developments PLC 509.25 -6.50 BHP Billiton PLC 1488.75 34.50 BP PLC 516.95 -1.20 British American Tobacco PLC 4747.25 17.50 British Land Co PLC 614.00 -4.50 BT Group PLC 390.07 -1.60 Bunzl PLC 2138.00 1.00 Burberry Group PLC 1629.50 18.00 Capita PLC 510.00 -5.50 Carnival PLC 4251.00 8.00 Centrica PLC 232.05 1.80 Coca-Cola HBC AG 1801.00 1.00 Compass Group PLC 1469.00 9.00 ConvaTec Group PLC 240.65 0.90 CRH PLC 2887.50 12.00 Croda International PLC 3340.00 0.00 DCC PLC 6122.50 5.00 Diageo PLC 2207.50 10.00 Direct Line Insurance Group... 347.50 -0.90 Dixons Carphone PLC 348.85 -2.30 easyJet PLC 1022.50 -13.00 Experian PLC 1609.00 8.00 Fresnillo PLC 1453.50 40.00 GKN PLC 343.35 2.10 GlaxoSmithKline PLC 1593.00 7.00 Glencore PLC 323.57 6.71 Hammerson PLC 559.75 -4.50 Hargreaves Lansdown PLC 1279.00 1.00 Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1900.00 4.00 HSBC Holdings PLC 679.05 1.10 Imperial Brands PLC 3617.75 27.00 Informa PLC 694.25 0.50 InterContinental Hotels Gro... 3767.50 10.00 International Consolidated ... 481.05 -7.80 Intertek Group PLC 3551.00 4.00 Intu Properties PLC 276.90 -1.80 ITV PLC 207.40 -1.40 Johnson Matthey PLC 3255.00 7.00 Kingfisher PLC 351.40 -1.50

% CHG. 725.00 1774.00 1329.50 725.00 1600.00 2580.00 4609.00 489.10 954.00 611.50 235.25 516.00 1454.50 518.00 4729.50 618.00 391.75 2136.00 1611.00 515.50 4242.00 230.20 1802.00 1460.00 239.70 2878.00 3338.00 6120.00 2197.50 348.60 350.90 1036.00 1601.00 1413.00 341.30 1585.50 316.70 564.00 1277.00 1896.00 678.00 3590.00 693.50 3759.00 488.70 3547.00 278.80 208.60 3248.00 353.00

NET VOL 54.83 7.82 423.32 151.44 72.96 11.43 75.78 249.65 34.27 258.94 1,976.23 415.80 403.74 940.82 84.37 104.38 362.59 14.82 137.70 85.22 16.29 256.38 9.85 87.25 10.24 21.65 5.74 2.75 162.23 134.43 106.22 190.22 58.69 100.51 174.46 491.91 3,272.24 27.41 19.69 4.50 617.40 70.37 42.61 16.30 383.44 6.87 21.33 599.24 19.18 139.99

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Land Securities Group PLC 1007.00 -13.00 Legal & General Group PLC 246.75 -1.90 Lloyds Banking Group PLC 65.33 -0.69 London Stock Exchange Group...2936.50 3.00 Marks & Spencer Group PLC 340.35 1.29 Mediclinic International PLC 800.25 8.50 Merlin Entertainments PLC 480.50 1.40 Micro Focus International PLC 2156.00 -1.00 Mondi PLC 1772.50 5.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets PLC240.75 -1.20 National Grid PLC 960.30 3.60 Next PLC 4032.00 -9.00 Old Mutual PLC 213.70 1.10 Paddy Power Betfair PLC 8597.50 -50.00 Pearson PLC 813.75 -3.00 Persimmon PLC 1973.00 -24.00 Provident Financial PLC 2833.00 -12.00 Prudential PLC 1600.25 -11.50 Randgold Resources Ltd 6865.00 150.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC 6878.50 34.00 RELX PLC 1472.00 7.00 Rio Tinto PLC 3494.50 76.50 Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 663.75 2.50 Royal Bank of Scotland Grou... 217.15 -3.90 Royal Dutch Shell PLC 2382.75 5.50 Royal Mail PLC 443.85 -3.60 RSA Insurance Group PLC 579.50 -1.00 Sage Group (The) PLC 676.50 2.00 Sainsbury (J) PLC 262.45 -1.90 Schroders PLC 3042.50 -2.00 Severn Trent PLC 2215.00 0.00 Shire PLC 4685.00 22.00 Sky PLC 993.25 1.00 Smith & Nephew PLC 1243.50 8.00 Smiths Group PLC 1533.00 6.00 Smurfit Kappa Group PLC 2150.00 22.00 SSE PLC 1558.50 4.00 Standard Chartered PLC 719.75 1.20 Standard Life PLC 353.20 -3.50 St James's Place PLC 1076.50 -9.70 Taylor Wimpey PLC 171.30 -1.20 Tesco PLC 204.25 -2.14 TUI AG 1134.00 -5.00 Unilever PLC 3410.00 25.50 United Utilities Group PLC 896.00 6.00 Vodafone Group PLC 212.62 -2.05 Whitbread PLC 4078.00 -14.00 Wolseley PLC 4986.00 -11.00 Worldpay Group PLC 291.65 -1.10 WPP PLC 1896.50 9.00

% CHG. 1020.00 248.70 66.04 2933.00 339.10 792.00 479.00 2157.00 1768.00 241.90 956.90 4042.00 212.50 8645.00 817.00 1997.00 2844.00 1612.50 6710.00 6845.00 1464.00 3417.50 661.50 221.10 2377.50 447.40 580.50 674.50 264.60 3047.00 2215.00 4661.50 992.00 1236.00 1526.00 2129.00 1553.00 718.50 357.10 1085.00 172.60 206.00 1141.00 3383.00 890.00 214.70 4093.00 4996.00 292.60 1888.00

NET VOL 37.43 393.18 10,165.96 4.94 372.04 17.92 32.20 7.59 25.46 338.14 260.81 27.36 240.78 .87 65.46 33.16 5.50 68.91 34.71 35.38 87.84 181.26 108.43 749.78 160.60 138.13 27.51 24.39 276.41 2.23 24.48 70.40 83.57 125.17 15.57 10.33 87.12 144.01 92.58 58.05 597.70 640.52 36.23 75.70 49.02 2,247.45 17.54 29.39 80.23 117.16

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DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 16

COMPANY 3M AMERICAN EXPRESS APPLE BOEING CO CATERPILLAR CHEVRON CISCO SYSTEMS COCA-COLA DU PONT(EI) DE NMR EXXON MOBIL GENERAL ELECTRIC GOLDMAN SACHS HOME DEPOT IBM INTEL CORP J.P.MORGAN CHASE JOHNSON & JOHNSON MC DONALD'S CORP MERCK AND CO. NEW MICROSOFT NIKE PFIZER PROCTER AND GAMBLE TRAVELERS CIES UNITED TECHNOLOGIE UNITEDHEALTH GROUP VERIZON COMMS VISA WAL-MART STORES WALT DISNEY CO

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 177,390 -0,03% -0,050 106M 76,6200 -0,34% -0,2600 70M 119,040 -0,18% -0,210 625M 158,830 +0,34% 0,540 98M 94,480 +0,52% 0,490 55M 116,38 +0,19% 0,22 219M 30,070 +0,10% 0,030 151M 40,88 -0,17% -0,07 176M 73,6000 -0,69% -0,5100 64M 86,35 +0,01% 0,01 357M 31,3600 -0,10% -0,0300 277M 244,30 +0,19% 0,46 96M 135,0400 -0,02% -0,0300 164M 167,34 -0,36% -0,61 159M 36,7900 +0,22% 0,0800 173M 86,7000 +0,53% 0,4600 309M 114,6000 -0,02% -0,0200 311M 121,5000 -0,49% -0,6000 100M 62,34 +0,21% 0,13 171M 62,700 +0,14% 0,090 486M 52,92 +0,99% 0,52 69M 32,5200 -0,25% -0,0800 196M 84,010 +0,20% 0,170 224M 117,05 +0,26% 0,30 33M 110,22 -0,54% -0,60 90M 161,80 -0,34% -0,56 153M 52,55 -0,25% -0,13 214M 81,17 -0,25% -0,20 150M 67,1300 -1,24% -0,8400 206M 108,0600 +0,49% 0,5300 171M

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES J ANUARY 16

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced DexCom, Inc. Telenav, Inc. Celyad SA Achaogen, Inc. Atlanticus Holdings Corporation Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. Century Aluminum Company Immune Design Corp. Fate Therapeutics, Inc. Diana Containerships Inc. TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

$ 85.13 $ 8.05 $ 21.6588 $ 17.96 $ 3.068 $ 4.40 $ 11.52 $ 6.25 $ 3.05 $ 2.96 $ 5.60

17.52 ▲ 25.91% 1.05 ▲ 15% 2.6588 ▲ 13.99% 2.15 ▲ 13.60% 0.342 ▲ 12.55% 0.45 ▲ 11.39% 1.16 ▲ 11.20% 0.60 ▲ 10.62% 0.29 ▲ 10.51% 0.28 ▲ 10.45% 0.50 ▲ 9.80%

$ 6.36 $ 10.35 $ 17.45 $ 2.70 $ 24.53 $ 29.10 $ 2.87 $ 28.22 $ 22.69 $ 2.60 $ 4.72

0.92 ▼ 12.64% 1.15 ▼ 10% 1.60 ▼ 8.40% 0.20 ▼ 6.90% 1.69 ▼ 6.45% 1.85 ▼ 5.98% 0.18 ▼ 5.90% 1.64 ▼ 5.49% 1.31 ▼ 5.46% 0.15 ▼ 5.45% 0.26 ▼ 5.22%

Most Declined Inventure Foods, Inc. Zogenix, Inc. 1st Constitution Bancorp (NJ) Fenix Parts, Inc. Olympic Steel, Inc. HomeStreet, Inc. Inseego Corp. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. Novan, Inc. ReWalk Robotics Ltd Roka Bioscience, Inc.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

Machines could take over the future By John Smith EVER since the Jewish religion introduced the concept of the Golem in the Middle Ages, a mud statue brought to life but without a soul, mankind has believed that human replicas could eventually be animated and created with intelligence.

It is anticipated that call centres manned by humans will disappear within next 10 years. The word Robot was first introduced to the world in 1920 in a play and since then, the concept of a mechanical being has been expanded to include Android (human robot) and Cyborg (man-machine hybrid). Popular culture abounds with references to these man-created machines and robotics have been used in industry for many years now, but the European Parliament is worried that as they become more human in form and thought, their existence

Photo Credit: Willyam Bradberry Shutterstock

NEW LAWS: To be created, just in case robots take over. should be covered by law. MEPs have therefore been presented with a report which recognises that there is a new revolution in robotics and artificial intelligence and therefore laws should be passed before it is too late to regularise their production and ‘lives.’

In essence the reports suggests that the parliament needs to decide whether there is such a thing as an ‘electronic person’ and if so what rights if any they should be given. In addition, MEPs are recommended to instruct manufacturers to come up with an easy way to termi-

nate the robots ‘life’ if necessary. In his 1950 novel ‘I Robot,’ science fiction writer Isaac Asimov created the three laws of robotics which were built into the brains of all robots and these are: ‘A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a

human being to come to harm.’ ‘A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.’ ‘A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.’ It is possible that these ‘laws’ will be part of any new EU legislation especially as artificial intelligence becomes more than a jerky white plastic robot playing chess and humanoid androids start to take over work from human beings. It is already anticipated that call centres manned by humans will disappear within the next 10 years or so and as we enter the ‘Brave New World,’ the EU wants to ensure that it does not become a dystopian nightmare as seen in ‘The Terminator’ and ‘The Matrix.’ It is however unlikely that legislators will be brave enough to stop the inevitable job losses that will occur when big business is able to use artificially intelligent creations which don’t have unions, lunch breaks, wage demands, holidays or maternity leave.

Enjoy free coffee and pay for your time TWO major developments have caused some problems for High Street operators and a Russian entrepreneur may just have found the answer. When the coffee revolution saw the expansion of companies such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee and even McCafe across Europe, it created a whole new generation of baristas and customers but this coincided with the growth of home working for many. Rather than hang around in the house, individuals with their lap tops started to congregate in these coffee shops to take advantage of the trendy interiors, good coffee, warm surroundings and free WiFi. The problem that arises is that these individuals take up space and unless they are keeping the corporate coffee cup loaded, are not generating the sort of profits that these international (and even independents) need to keep in business. A few years ago, a Russian poet turned businessman Ivan Mitin expanded a poetry group which met in bars and cafés in Moscow so that it had a regular meeting place called the Treehouse. At that time, he relied on donations to ensure that he was able to secure the room on a regular basis but having decided that this was a somewhat precarious situation he came up with the idea of charging people to attend. As this went so well he expanded the concept and created Ziferblat which means Clockface in

Photo Credit: Ziferblat UK

By John Smith

MEETING PLACE: Visitors use the Manchester room. both German and Russian with the concept that people would pay by the minute to use a room as a café and meeting place but all food and drink would be free. So successful was this concept that he soon found himself opening a number of these rooms around Russia and in 2014 opened his first Ziferblat in London. Very simply visitors receive a clock when they

arrive and pay 3p (4c) per minute whilst using the room. There are no waiters but guests can make themselves tea and coffee, have biscuits and cakes and use the free WiFi whilst chatting with friends or sitting at their laptops working. Unlike a coffee shop, the laid back atmosphere encourages people to talk to each other and there is background music as well as occasional performances by local musicians with artists often wel-

come to hang their work on the walls. Whilst this wouldn’t suit everyone, the concept is such that it has expanded within the UK to Liverpool and Manchester and other sites where rents are not too high will be developed. As the business continues to develop so, it will no doubt head for popular cities with trendy student populations such as Amsterdam and Barcelona.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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Photo Credit: FabreGov Shutterstock

Bitcoin, the world’s strongest currency

WEB HELD: Mining for Bitcoins. By John Smith FOR those who have heard the name but don’t understand the meaning, a Bitcoin is an imaginary currency supposedly created by a Japanese genius several years ago which can be used instead of traditional currency. There are an estimated 15 million Bitcoins in existence at the moment, but the amount grows each day as more coins are ‘mined’! The act of ‘mining’ involves a computer solving a difficult mathematical problem and every time the problem is solved a number of new Bitcoins are created with a proportion going to the problem solver. There are a number of Bitcoin factories with numerous computers linked together to solve the problem as quickly as possible, thus generating more of the web held coins for the problem solver. All of the Bitcoins are web held in Bitcoin wallets and they are traded for hard cash so that demand and availabili-

ty dictates the value of an individual Bitcoin, but the price is surprisingly high and the record cost of a single Bitcoin was set early in January 2017 at $1,129 (€1,144). The reason that this form of artificial currency is so expensive is that it is completely uncontrolled by any government and it is therefore an ideal way of hiding income and moving worth around the world. It is alleged that many major international drug deals are paid for in Bitcoins and those wanting to transfer undeclared profits out of their country of residence also turn to Bitcoins. Without question, there has been a steady increase in the value of this ‘imaginary currency’ especially as different countries impose export restrictions on funds as well as cracking down on tax avoidance, Years ago, airline tickets were a good way of getting money out of a country, so someone in the UK could purchase a ticket giving them first class flights from Lagos to London, return Concorde

flights to New York and then return tickets to Lagos for half the price of the normal Concorde fare. The concept was simple as the Nigerian purchaser of the original ticket paid in Naira and he in turn was then paid in Sterling into a foreign bank account and the Lagos-London-Lagos legs were just thrown away. Recently, there has been a great demand from China for Bitcoins where wealthy individuals have been using them to get round exchange control, but as the Chinese authorities have announced they will be investigating this whole matter, the Bitcoin market saw a drop in a few days of $369 (€346) per coin due to nervousness in that market. When one considers that at the beginning of 2011, a single Bitcoin was worth just €1, anyone who invested in them then has seen an incredible growth in value and the currency is likely to continue to have worth, as long as there are those who don’t enjoy financial transparency.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

EWN

OPINION & COMMENT

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19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

Stick to your lives of fantasy LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT I NEVER chose to be a nonconformist. Sitting here at 77 years of age (already not conforming to three score and 10!) it is now painfully obvious that choosing to remain within our society as an ‘antisocial,’ was, at the very least, going to be difficult and certainly not make you the winner of many popularity contests. Of course, at the outset you don’t know who, or even what you are. As a new manifestation you simply go with the flow. There is no set beginning to nonconformity, it is something that just happens. There does however become a point when the choice has to be made. You either drop out or stay in. Well I chose to stay in. Although, through my spiritual leanings, I was offered a host of escapes, i.e. hippie communes, becoming a Tibetan monk, taking

the junkie route, membership of numerous cults, including the highly dangerous Scientology and all of its pathetic offshoots specifically designed to control the weak. I knew that to have any chance of influencing events in a society I didn’t agree with, I had to stay a

Egotistical multimillionaires of the Angelina Jolie and Bono ilk wander between mud huts trying to make us all feel bad.” part of it. Politics would have been an obvious choice I suppose, but unfortunately, in my day, to enter into the political arena you had to either be a total conformist, a complete hypocrite, or an ‘old boy’ (no change there then!) So I chose Showbiz. Ha! The most hypocritical occupation of them all. Typical examples of this

are the egotistical multi-millionaires of the Angelina Jolie and Bono ilk, wandering between mud huts, trying to make us all feel bad and responsible for the ills of the world, before scurrying back to their existence of cosseted grandeur and luxury. For heaven’s sake give us all a break and stick to your lives of fantasy, where you all belong. One thing non-conformity does achieve however is a relentless thickening of the skin, so keep those letters coming. The more derogatory they are, the more chance you have of being published! Keep the Faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

HYPOCRITICAL CELEBRITIES: Try to make us feel responsible.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

It’s not my dog that’s howling Mike Senker

In my opinion Views of a Grumpy Old Man I GOT an email recently from Bryan and it’s about a subject I’ve had a problem with myself. It concerns the owners of dogs that leave them at home all day on their own. Now, if they left them indoors it wouldn’t be a problem, but in our case and Bryan’s too, we live in an apartment and these dog owners leave them on the terrace and the poor pooches don’t like it, so they decide to let everyone know they don’t. The way they do this is by crying and wailing or barking. Now, this is not the dog’s fault. It is the selfish owner and to compound the problem the owner, when told about the problem, declares no, their dog is as good as gold and wouldn’t disturb anybody. ‘Err, yes it does.’ ‘No it doesn’t.’ So what do you do about it? Well in our case we taped the dog crying and then played it back to its owner so she didn’t have an argument or so we thought. She then said what did we want her to do? She had to go out to work all day and didn’t get home until late in the evening. Whilst we appreciate she had to work, the community couldn’t put up with the distressing noise and it most certainly was not fair on the dog.

Eventually the lady moved so the problem went, but it can be terrible and in Bryan’s case he doesn’t seem to be getting any help from the police which is pretty strange because all you should have to do is get a few of you and go and denounce the offender. So I wish him good luck. I quite often get asked how I manage to write these grumpy columns every week. Well I tell you it’s actually easy to do. You know why? It’s because I have reached an age where I am allowed to be peed off by the things that used to not bother me because I had more important things to do, like earn a living and feed the kids. Now all I have is time and the trouble with doing nothing is you don’t know when you have finished. So my day consists of me deciding what bit of nothing I should do next. It can take me an hour to get dressed because I can’t stand for more than a few seconds so I have stop and sit all the time. But once I’m up and out and getting on with my non-busy days there are always situations which raise the grump levels! I’ve been getting some great emails regarding things that make other people grumpy. A lot of them are in the form of poems which is actually very clever, so please keep them coming. If you see me out and about stop and say hello. It’s nice when that happens to be honest and it stops me being grumpy. Email me mikesenker@gmail.com.

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OPINION & COMMENT

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Motorhomes - can they park or camp? AS part of the series, we answer some common driving questions and keep you updated on the latest driving and road news kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

OPENING SKYLIGHTS: Is not an activitiy that falls into the category of camping. DEBATES often arise about where motorhomes and camper vans can park. Whilst many town halls have introduced their own legislation, the law is quite clear and in Spain it states that motorhomes and campers are not allowed to ‘camp’ on the street. However, what defines ‘camping’ and what is a vehicle which is simply ‘parked?’ The law states that if certain actions are performed, the vehicle is considered to be camping and should do so in an authorised place. These include emitting noise, such as using a generator; extending sun blinds and shades; vehicle stabilisers deployed; emptying or dis-

posing of fluids; using exterior furniture and side or ‘swing’ windows opened. There are activities that can be performed whilst stopped which do not fall into the category of camping: occupants being inside the vehicle eating or sleeping; opening the skylight or rooftop window; using wheel chocks on an incline and turning the wheels so they are secured against the kerb. If the vehicle is correctly and legally parked, these activities can be carried out and will not be classed as camping. Motorhomes have a legal right to park anywhere other vehicles are allowed to as long as not ‘camping.’

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook.

Can they renew residence? IN 2006 we went to Alicante and applied for the old style ID card ‘residencia.’ Of course they were only valid for five years and in 2011 we were unsure about staying in Spain so we let it lapse. Now we have decided to stay so we need to renew. Can we just exchange the old card for the new paper type or do we need to go through the whole process again? If so, what documents do we need? C A (Costa Blanca) NO, you cannot exchange your expired permit for a new residence document. You must make a new application. As EU citizens, you will get the paper document of Certificate of Residence of EU Citizen in Spain. As of

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

2012, the requirements have been stiffened. You will need to show proof of income, either by having a job or being

self-employed, and show that you are registered for Social Security payments. You will need proof of medical insurance as well. If you are a pensioner with the right to transfer your medical care to Spain, this should be sufficient.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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FEATURE

Advertising feature

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PROPERTY INSPECTIONS: Are carried out fortnightly to detect possible problems. fied immediately in the event of any problem. Should issues arise, D&D offers a maintenance service able to carry out repairs, painting and decorating. If there is something the team cannot handle, they have to hand expert technicians and contractors that quickly and efficiently work offering the best service

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If renting out your property, it will effectively and efficiently market your home to increase revenue for you and the D&D welcome pack can be customised to suit your guests needs and be delivered to the property prior to the arrival of your guests. Meet and greet and airport transfers can also be arranged. It is these little finishing touches that D&D Property Care and Rentals prides itself on, resulting in happy guests and happy home owners. To find out more about the company’s rental or management services, contact the team now. D&D Property Care and Rentals Tel: 950 105 806 or 643 335 386 Visit: www.ddpropertycarealmeria.com Email: info@ddpropertycarealmeria.com

Get connected with Albox Online ESTABLISHED since 2004, Albox Online is a leading internet, telephone and TV provider. With over a decade of experience, Albox Online is one of the most respected companies in the area, providing all forms of communication and whatever you need, it will strive to get it at the best possible price. The land line telephone service comes with both a Spanish and a UK number from the town of your choice as standard, with highly competitive call rates around the world. Calls to most of Europe start from just 1.4 cents per minute. Albox Online can also set you up with voicemail, online billing, telephone top-up and email. It is also a provider of a new generation of microwave radio equipment which eliminates the need for a traditional fixed line to the property and can therefore offer high speed services to remote locations with ease. Television services are also

LEADING PROVIDER: Of all forms of communication, whatever you need. changing and with Albox Online you can have access to all your favourite British and Irish televi-

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and movie channels plus many, many more. Working through the internet there is now no need to

have a large satellite dish on your property. IPTV boxes give you more choice than you can imagine and are revolutionising television viewing. Albox Online’s fast broadband is available in many areas and last year expanded across Velez Rubio, Velez Blanco and Turre. More expansion and services are expected this year as the company continues to invest in the business to bring cutting edge technology to your home, including next generation broadband with up to 25mb download speeds available currently for €25 with free installation (terms and conditions apply). Contact Albox Online today for a free, no obligation site survey and see how it can get you online and connected with the rest of the world. Albox Online Avenida Febrero 28, Albox Tel: 950 091 111 Visit: www.albox-online.net Email: info@albox-online.net

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de AlmerÃa

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19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Under the radar Cassandra Nash A weekly look - and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

FORMER defence minister and soon to be ex-Ambassador in London Federico Trillo was ultimately responsible for the 2003 Yak 42 air disaster. Few ever doubted that and the State Council has joined the chorus 14 years later. An aircraft with 62 Spanish soldiers returning from Afghanistan came down over Turkey, killing everyone aboard. Trillo’s successor at the Ministry of Defence said that Jose Maria Aznar’s government chartered “rubbish planes” to offset the cost of backing Bush and Blair during the Iraq invasion. Interestingly, the Ministry of Defence paid €149,000 to charter that plane. The owners Um-Air received €38,000 so where did €111,000 go? The old UK government auditors’ preadding machine dictum comes to mind: check the books twice if a manager or de-

partment head is overtly religious. Trillo is a fully paid-up member of Opus Dei and religion doesn’t get more overt than that.

Power play ACCORDING to Spain’s Constitution, parliament packs up in July, August and January. In recent years - allegedly to give a good example - January has been a working month for MPs. Not in 2017, though. Possibly they are exhausted by the December 2015-October 2016 hiatus when MPs literally didn’t know whether they were coming or going. Doubtless the PP, Podemos and Ciudadanos - PSOE are waiting until June - are more concerned about February’s national conferences. Now’s the time to distribute power inside the parties, an issue that clearly interests them more than the voters who pay their wages.

Progress made STREETS named after men triple those of women in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

Federico Trillo.

Those considered worthy of A-Z honour are either virgins, saints, monarchs or aristocrats, which just about sums up previous Spanish attitudes towards women.

Females outside these categories existed only as childbearers, housewives and servants but at least something has changed as they’re now expected to hold down a job as well.

Too little, too late THE government is planning a national centre to house a database of Spain’s ‘disappeared.’ Staggeringly this will not include the thousands of people who vanished in the years of Francoist repression during and after the Civil War. The centre will instead concentrate its efforts on those who have disappeared since then. Not so much a matter of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted as choosing the wrong stable.

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mendation is key and Voss Homes thanks all its clients for recommending them to other buyers and sellers. Please call or email to arrange a free, truthful and realistic, no obligation valuation and to discuss the ongoing low commissions, free paperwork checks and advice on how to get your property sold. The office is just 1km off exit 553 of the A7 motorway, 100m from Lidl in HuercalOvera. Voss Homes Estate Agents, 155a CarreteraEstacion, Huércal-Overa, 04600, Almeria Office: 0034 950 616 827 Mobile: 0034 678 002 006 or 667 891 741 www.vosshomesspain.com info@vosshomesspain.com

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

The etiquette of owning burros… Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

THEY were everywhere. We didn’t have one. Everyone else had them. Wherever you went, they were there. Living moveable creatures that showed up at every function and gathering. Nothing was personally distinguishable about them, no hats or specially coloured bridles or saddles.

They were the quiet standard, as much a part of Spanish life as modern media communications are today.” They were cursed by a sameness that left them anonymous until death. If anything, they might be recognised by their unkempt situation. Some were just plain filthy. It was a long time between cleansing rains. They were the quiet standard, as

much a part of Spanish life as modern media communications are today. The village burros were the water carriers. In the mornings they took the women down to the fountain to do the laundry along with the children that filled up the clay jars with water. While the mother laboured the children directed the burros back home with water for drinking and cleaning, quite often selling a jar or two along the way to friends and neighbours. This parade of animals and children ran through the day while the sun was up. It was the life line for the entire town and their way of life. Across the road from our office was the landmark building, Cueva del Lobo. Antonio was the resident burro owner. He came daily, left, came back always without words, but a friendly smile and nod. My one and only confrontation with him was when I asked him what

VILLAGE BURROS: Were the water carriers. his burro was named. He shrugged his shoulders indicating that he didn’t know, then flashed that tooth-

less smile. That broke my heart. How could anyone spend 18 hours a day riding

on the back of his most naturally entwined companion and leave it nameless? I mean, what kind of a nation survives a cultural unfurlment without gifting a name to a lifelong companion of consequential services? This troubled me a lot. This same ubiquitous beast was the reason that it is popularly accepted for all nationals to arrive at any fiesta when they get there (late). You see, back in those days, you couldn’t celebrate a birthday party or BarBe setting a time. All you could do is invite and suggest that day. People would arrive when they wanted, or could. This was not to say there wasn’t traffic. Most never witnessed it unless you spent a Friday night on the tiles drinking and then racing home to beat the dawn’s glow. I have guesstimated that more than 3,000 hardy folk lived in them thar hills and would set out at 4am or 5am to get to the Vera market. These processions followed a strict regulation of protocol. No one ever passed another. Who rode or walked behind firmly holding the animal’s tail was an essential inner family secret.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

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Alicante Move from the start word (LINK) to the end word (FACT) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time. LINK PINK PINT PANT PACT FACT

FACT BACK

YOUR STARS

Fri Sat Sun -

‘MERYL STREEP, OF ALL PEOPLE - WHAT BRINGS YOU THIS FAR UP TOWN?’

see it as a nuisance and embarrassing. A meeting at the weekend is both confusing and disarming.

(January 21 - February 19)

This being a family oriented week, much of it may be spent getting together with relatives and going over old times. Perhaps you are compiling a photo album for older members of the family or vice versa. GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) An urge to get moving must mean that spring is round the corner. Certainly, you are questioning where you want to be in the months ahead. A house move or work placement may be on your mind. At what seems to be an unsettled time, decisions need to be made and worked towards.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Being asked to take on a new and demanding task this week may see you wishing that you had been less visible. However, don't think of the hard work involved but rather the brilliant outcome. You will be popular.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Be aware that not everyone is willing to work as hard as you. When approached by someone wanting you to trust them, be sure of their motives. Do what you feel is right but remain firmly in control, especially financially. It may not be the time to make a particular move, although others think that it is. There's no problem with discussing things and talking them through. Keep up your healthy habits because you need lots of energy, especially at the weekend. LEO (July 24 - August 23) Social demands are made, but try to

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

IRISH LOTTO

Saturday January 14

BONUS BALL

Tuesday January 10

11 35

29 44

LUCKY STARS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Someone with a larger-than-life imagination makes you smile but that was not their intention. Try to be diplomatic and steer them in a different direction. Some feelings of loneliness will not be assuaged by working more. Perhaps it is time to consider taking on a pet or giving a current pet more attention.

shuffle them to the weekend. Be diplomatic or someone close could become irritated. Keep an eye on the small print because something fundamental may have changed in a long-standing arrangement. Suddenly, at the weekend, you are thrust into the limelight.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Sometimes, you find it hard to do things just for the pure enjoyment of it. Realise that not everything has to have a purpose or a profit. Look round this week and seek out something that will please your senses and bring a smile to your lips. Make this a week when you live for the moment and give full rein to your imagination.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Be aware that leopards do not change their spots, they merely hide them. Those who demand your trust need a cool checking out and don't be afraid to say ‘no’ as and when necessary. Finances are well aspected this week with a new idea proving both worthwhile in terms of your time and profitable.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Contact with a less than ideal situation makes you realise just how lucky you are. It has been clear that the weeks are changeable and your situation at the moment far from settled. Pity those whose day-to-day life is completely predictable. As someone who values an element of challenge, it is enjoyable to know that unexpected times are ahead.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Career and home are in disharmony but a bit of compromise soon sorts things out. You don't like playing the ‘bad guy,’ but honesty is also important to you. Speaking your mind can be liberating although, initially, you may

EURO MILLIONS

Sudoku Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

12 5 Sh 14 6 Cl 14 5 C

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 15 7 Sh Tues - 17 8 Cl Wed - 18 10 Sh

Friday January 13

7 26

16 50

LUCKY STARS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday January 14

Sunday January 15

REINTEGRO

21 39

31 46

REINTEGRO

CLOUDY MAX 13C, MIN 4C MAX MIN

13 4 C 14 5 Cl 14 5 Sh

Mon - 15 7 C Tues - 17 8 Cl Wed - 17 9 Sh

Mallorca

CLEAR

MAX 10C, MIN 6C

SHOWERS MAX 12C, MIN 6C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

10 6 Sh 12 3 Cl 12 3 Sh

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 13 3 C Tues - 13 4 Sh Wed - 15 5 S

MAX MIN

12 6 Sh 13 5 C 13 5 Sh

Mon - 14 6 C Tues - 15 6 Cl Wed - 16 7 Cl

Murcia

SHOWERS MAX 10C, MIN 8C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 10 1 C Tues - 10 2 C Wed - 12 4 Sh

MAX MIN

Benidorm TODAY:

MAX MIN

-1 C -2 C -3 C

Malaga

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

9 9 9

TODAY:

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX 9C, MIN -1C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

SHOWERS MAX 10C, MIN 6C MAX MIN

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) An exciting invitation may set tongues wagging and make a loved one jealous. You, meanwhile, are quite bemused by the whole thing. What comes out of this week is that you are of considerable value to others. The mere thought of you not being around sends ripples through your social circle.

LOTTERY

MAX MIN

Mon - 14 7 C Tues - 15 8 Cl Wed - 16 10 C

11 7 Sh 12 6 Sh 13 5 Cl

CLEAR

TODAY:

Almeria TODAY:

AQUARIUS

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) An interest in technology is not something new to you. What is great, though, is that the penny has suddenly dropped. This week sees you understanding more and wanting to know more. This is good for both your work and social life.

MAX 10C, MIN 7C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Solution LINK LICK LACK LACE FACE FACT or

LINK

Madrid

TODAY: SHOWERS

MAX MIN

12 6 Sh 12 8 Sh 14 6 C

Fri Sat Sun -

Mon - 14 9 C Tues - 15 8 C Wed - 16 9 C

S Sun,

Cl Clear,

Sh Showers,

SHOWERS MAX 9C, MIN 5C

TODAY:

F Fog, Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

11 4 Sh 12 4 Sh 13 3 C

Mon - 14 4 C Tues - 16 6 Cl Wed - 17 7 Sh

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

Euro Weekly News accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the weather forecasts which are supplied by a third party.

Nonagram

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case H) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed. TARGET: • Average: 16 • Good: 22 • Very good: 32 • Excellent: 42

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION coin cone enol glen gone gown icon lien limn line ling lino lion loin lone long mien mine mown nice noil omen once wine wing wino cling clone clown coign genic gnome incog ingle lemon limen lingo melon mince owing wince women coigne coming cowing cowmen gnomic income legion lowing mewing mingle mowing oilmen wigeon cowling genomic meowing mewling WELCOMING

Hexagram The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (SWANKY) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues. BLANCH BROKEN CEREAL COYOTE ENTIRE ESTEEM GARAGE HEARTY HEREBY HEROIC LINEAR OCTANT POETIC POSSUM RABIES REASON SWANKY (10) TRACER WARREN

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Escrow 2 Cohere 3 Rookie 4 Chisel 5 Worker 6 Gaiety 7 Cheese 8 Arrive 9 Victim 10 Skater 11 Larvae 12 Raster 13 Stereo 14 Twisty 15 Presto 16 Arrear 17 Tappet 18 Pastor 19 Depose.

OUT

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19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

page

Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition

Cryptic

Code Breaker

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CRYPTIC

Quick

Across:

Across 1 After time the ceremony becomes commonplace (5) 4 Damages found around oriental women's quarters (6) 9 Lose hope when praised by mistake (7) 10 Hard to falsify ID (5) 11 Neckwear connections (4) 12 Eve rang about score (7) 13 Address that's somewhat undesirable (3) 14 Be against tuba coming back (4) 16 Bob's the head and Don’s upset (4) 18 Mark is hiding in the torpedo tube (3) 20 Lack of sailor ruined scene (7) 21 I would have the French not working (4) 24 Part of a similar variety of grub (5) 25 Gland is real and damaged (7) 26 Cleaned up the fire residue within a day (6) 27 A political group get together (5) Down 1 Up to now, Dorothy has come back and dined (2,4) 2 An edition for the children (5) 3 Biblical character in Roget's Thesaurus (4) 5 Proud of tarragon rum (8) 6 Part of UK named Glenda incorrectly (7) 7 Drenched lair is covered by grass (6) 8 Rider out to get less wet (5) 13 Goat seen running around, but that was a long time ago (5,3) 15 They write about street eateries (7) 17 Indulge in some Mountain Dew, all owned by me (6) 18 Hold up the Spanish about 24 hours (5)

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1 Telltale, 7 Stall, 8 Resonance, 9 Din, 10 Bath, 11 Pewits, 13 Sloped, 14 Natter, 17 Taiwan, 18 Digs, 20 Two, 22 Emigrated, 23 Trend, 24 Fallible. Down: 1 Throb, 2 Lesotho, 3 Tang, 4 Linger, 5 Lauds, 6 Plunder, 7 Seminar, 12 Merited, 13 Statute, 15 Twin tub, 16 Manila, 17 Tower, 19 Sedge, 21 Oral.

QUICK Across: 1 Costume, 5 Screw, 8 Dispute, 9 Adapt, 10 Raise, 11 Precise, 12 Pallet, 14 Barges, 17 Nursery, 19 Press, 22 Arise, 23 Termite, 24 Tasty, 25 Monster.

19 Show again what happened about the act (6) 22 Princess ran up to get foreign currency (5) 23 Stumble when making a journey (4) Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 2 represents Q and 14 represents T, so fill in Q every time the figure 2 appears and T every time the figure 14 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Across 1 Marked by distress (7) 5 Treaties (5) 8 Take without the owner’s consent (5) 9 Duplicate (7) 10 Day immediately before today (9) 12 Short sleep (3) 13 Pleasantly odd (6) 14 Come into view (6) 17 Large Australian flightless bird (3) 18 Inclined to drowsiness (9) 20 Request information about (7) 21 Not elaborate or elaborated (5) 23 Small, lightly-sweetened cake (5) 24 Liable to sudden unpredictable change (7)

Down 1 Overcrowded or cluttered with detail (5) 2 Chopping tool (3) 3 Large sailing vessel (7) 4 Speech of violent denunciation (6) 5 Young dog (5) 6 Customers collectively (9) 7 Flee (7) 11 Existing state of affairs (6,3) 13 Asks for information (7) 15 Succeed in material terms (7) 16 Block passage through (6) 18 Grab hold of (5) 19 Loose fitting garment (5) 22 Fitting (3)

English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Down: 1 Cedar, 2 Sushi, 3 Ukulele, 4 Exempt, 5 Share, 6 Roaming, 7 Witness, 12 Pennant, 13 Lorries, 15 Aspirin, 16 System, 18 Every, 20 Evict, 21 Smear.

ENGLISHSPANISH Across: 1 Manguera, 8 Niece, 9 Packs, 10 All, 11 Latas, 12 Encia, 13 Ida, 14 Since, 15 Droga, 16 Saturday. Down: 2 Aceitunas, 3 Greasiest, 4 Empleador, 5 Alcachofa, 6 English, 7 Espadas.

CODE BREAKER

Across 1 Escalera de mano (6) 4 Trampa (para cazar) (4) 8 Manzana (fruta) (5) 9 Fright (sudden fear) (5) 10 Sillones (9) 13 Corteza (de pan) (5) 14 Tails (of birds, horses, fishes, planes) (5) 15 Obedecer (4) 16 Alcades (6)

Down 1 Mentiroso (4) 2 Partida (9) 3 Army (8) 5 Rake (9) 6 Pobre (persona, familia, barrio) (4) 7 Frost (8) 11 Eight (4) 12 Bears (animals) (4)

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

LETTERS

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OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

Online voting is real democracy IMAGINE my disappointment on reading your report on online voting. It was just another way of keeping the same representative system, of choosing which tribe to argue with each other and strut around Westminster. In a digital world we have the opportunity to really democratise politics. We can be voting for policies, politicians should become the executive that carries out our demands. This direct democracy would give me the chance to vote for no renewal of Trident, a very expensive policy. It might well be that most voted to keep it, but I could live with that. It would be the choice of the people. I would want to vote for full people-owned NHS. Again perhaps most people would want public-private partnerships. That again would be their choice. At least I had had my say. There is actually little difference between the Tory options that you rush off to vote for and even less when they are in power. I don’t care which tribe of clowns carries out our directions. Transition would be difficult. Many people are still not online. Perhaps they would still have to visit a polling station to fill in their policy choices. It would not have to happen in one day only. I think more people would take part. They would be much closer to making a difference. Julian Turner, Malaga

Transport appeal WE sent a letter to be published in February 2014 regarding the trenet service to Denia. We suggested that a spur could be considered to provide a stop beside the Marina Alta Hospital near La Xara. Unfortunately there appeared to be no interest. Once again, this week, we had an appointment at the hospital and saw how beneficial a stop could be there. Parking spaces are limited and side roads are choked with vehicles. Anyone without a car has to rely on friends/family, or pay for a taxi. Using the bus from Denia station to and from the hospital is not an ideal alternative. We note that there appears to be money available to re-route the tracks on the outskirts of Benidorm

Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com

going to end. If it is bad then it’s bad, but keep a bit of perspective. Dave, Benalmadena

False impression

RESCUE CENTRES: Are struggling to get dogs adopted into forever homes.

Dog lovers need info I HAVE just read in your newspaper regarding 3,000 dumped dogs and rescue centres struggling to get sufficient dogs adopted into forever homes. My husband and I spend the winters in Spain. We have always had dogs who travelled with us. After losing our last Yorkie we began looking in Spain for a little dog as we felt lost without one. We now have a female Yorkie from a centre near Malaga who has been with us three years. The resident vet there helped with all the formal documents and she happily travels with us between the UK and Spain. However we feel that not enough publicity is given to make more people aware of the problem, also definitely

to make a stop beside the bus station. We consider this a very sensible move since buses and taxis provide a better service there than the main Benidorm station. (We regularly use the trenet from Teulada.) It would be really encouraging if someone in authority would consider our proposal at the present time while the track is being upgraded on this stretch. The stop beside the Marina Baixa hospital, south of Benidorm, is extremely convenient and well used. A stop to serve the Marina Alta would surely be as well used, and encourage people to ‘leave the car at home and use public transport.’ Lorna Ross

not enough is done to advertise events such as one recently where dogs for adoption were on display and stalls were available to purchase items or give a donation. It took us two hours to find where it was located. We only found out about it from a notice in Spanish on a tree trunk in Benalmadena. We mentioned this to a Spanish gentleman running a stall and he said that was probably why they hadn’t had a good turnout. We noticed we were the only English people there. I have asked around amongst dog loving expats who confirm they had not known of events until after they happened.

Much missed GRAHAM TAYLOR was probably not as popular as he should have been with the average England fan. But his heart was in the right place. There was no doubt about that. I well remember listening to him as a pundit on a Saturday on Radio 5. I also remember him talking about FIFA and its cash-in-a-paper-bag culture, cash that he refused. My condolences to his family. He will be much missed as a character in the game and applauding his

Barbara Nicholas

memory at every ground in the UK is a fitting tribute. David P, email.

Snow flakes I HAVE friends from northern Europe who laugh at me when they hear that back in the UK we are struggling with a bit of snow. I have to admit they are right and that’s the annoying thing. If you have it all the time you can put resources into preparing for it. But we don’t seem to do that in the UK. Also I find it embarrassing to see all the coverage in the media. My friends laugh at too - it’s as if the world was

LEAPY, is your plaintive cry about ‘slings and arrows’ at the end of your latest item (issue 1645, January 12 - 18) merely a response to the two letters entitled ‘Leapy Logic’ and ‘Bitter Taste’? The two letters mentioned above serve to contrast your narrow, unbalanced views on President Obama with your obvious hero-worship of President-elect Trump - a deeply flawed man by most standards of common sense. Now you make sweeping comments on the causes of racism, based on one dreadful assault on a man with educational needs. You falsely call the four perpetrators ‘care workers.’ This is very mysterious when they were actually drug and alcohol fuelled thugs holding him hostage! There was never any suggestion they might be his care workers. Where do you get your news from? The Trump Foundation? Your emphasis on their skin-colour has nothing to do with it. Their livestreaming of the abuse to millions of people on social media was the REAL reason for the size of the public response! You would have done better to focus your wrath on the darker aspects of social media when mixed with drugs, alcohol and violence than to use it as an excuse for ill thought through comments on racism - of much lesser importance in this case. Sometimes skin-colour is a factor, Leapy, sometimes not. Picking out this particular angle over all the others creates at best a false impression about racism and at worst provokes unjustified hatred of black people in general. By doing so, you fuel racism yourself. What a surprise! Brian Eagleson, Mojacar

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

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E W N Costa de Almería

19 - 25 January 2017

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MONICA ALGAÑARAZ: Uses a mixture of therapies to treat patients.

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Sugar is causing a dental crisis amongst youngsters in the UK SUGAR. The deadly sin that some experts say can be just as addictive as smoking or drugs. Whether you are indulging in sweets and cakes, or are falling victim to hidden sugars found in cereals and sauces, many of us are having too much of it and children are particularly at risk. Figures in the UK say more and more children are having to be admitted to hospital to have rotten teeth taken out with sugar being blamed. A report said nearly 41,000 youngsters had teeth taken out in hospital in 2015/16, some 11 per cent more than four years ago. These operations were carried out at a cost of around £35.6 million. The chairman of the British Dental Association, said the millions spent on child tooth extractions in hospitals was emblematic of the government’s disinterest in oral health and more must be done to prevent tooth decay. It is hoped the government’s sugar tax will go some way to cutting the sugar consumption that leads to tooth decay.

Conjoined twins die too soon CONJOINED twins who made the headlines recently have tragically passed away before any treatment could be conducted. It is believed that they shared all of their major internal organs, but had their own heads and brains. The hospital in Mexico where they were born confirmed they had passed away, but said the mother was in good health. Siamese, or conjoined twins, occur in around one in 100,000 pregnancies. Around 40 to 60 per cent of conjoined twins are stillborn, and around 35 per cent survive for just a day.

Public Health England recently warned children consume half their daily recommended sugar intake even before they go to school with many having almost three teaspoons of sugar at breakfast time with cereals often being the cause of high amounts of sugar.

More and more children are having to be admitted to hospital to have rotten teeth taken out.”

ROTTEN TEETH: Some experts say sugar can be just as addictive as smoking or drugs.

The government recommends youngsters aged four to six have no more than 19g, or five teaspoons of sugar a day and seven to 10-yearolds should consume no more than 24g, around six teaspoons. Sugary soft drinks should also be limited as children aged 11-18 get 40 per cent of their added sugars from drinks. UK youngsters are amongst the biggest consumers of soft drinks in Europe with 40 per cent of 11-15 year-olds drinking them daily.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Britain is not the worst.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Ask The Doctor

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Constant back pain What are the most common causes of back pain?

Brits aren’t top of the charts for their drinking BRITS have a reputation for liking a drink or two, but Britain is not the booziest nation and in fact, ranked number 17 in the world according to a study. Vouchercloud.com used data from the World Health Organisation relating to 2010 to 2015 to plot the world map charting alcohol consumption and listed Moldova, Belarus and Lithuania as being the highest drinking nations in the world. Moldovans drink an average of 17.4 litres of pure alcohol per year

17th is where the UK is ranked in the world for boozing.

per person, followed by 17.1 litres in Belarus and 16.2 in Lithuania. The UK ranked 17th consuming an average of 11.6 litres per person per year which is the equivalent of around 119 bottles of wine or 408 pints of lager. Spain was listed at number 33 with 10.6 litres. Australians were named as the 10th most excessive drinkers whilst the United States doesn’t even make the top 20, coming in at number 49.

Stay married to help prevent broken bones COULD being married help prevent broken bones? Researchers in Spain believe it could. They carried out a study and reported that elderly men were 50 per cent less likely to fracture a hip if they are married, while elderly married women cut their risk by 30 per cent. They believe the reason behind this could be that elderly people who live with their partners are more likely to care for each other and are less likely to

be malnourished or depressed, making them less frail. Previous studies have also shown that those with dementia were more likely to suffer a fall. The original study was carried out by the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Zaragoza in Spain and analysed the medical and psychiatric histories of around 4,800 adults over the age of 55 in Zaragoza.

SPECIALIST: Doctor Luis Perez Belmonte. BACK pain can be caused by many different things, but some of the most common causes are inflammation of muscles and tendons or damage to vertebra caused by an injury, prolonged bad posture or lifting excess weight for example. It can also sometimes be caused by inflammation of internal organs such as the kidneys, intestines, liver, etc. • Many people say their doctor tells them to buy a new mattress when they have back pain. Why? Mattresses are very important for joint and muscle health, including the lower back area, and to get a good night’s sleep. A mattress which is too hard or too soft can be harmful as they can force the spine into a position which puts stress on muscles and vertebra. • If it turns out not to be the mattress, what can we do to avoid back pain? There are lots of things that can be done to improve back pain. While the pain is at its worst we should rest, avoid forced postures or lifting heavy items, take antiinflammatories and muscle relaxers if necessary and see a physiotherapist. • Can back pain be a sign of a serious problem that requires surgery? Sometimes back pain, es-

pecially if it lasts a long time, can be a symptom of serious spinal problems occasionally requiring surgery to solve the problem. • What’s the best way to ease the pain? Do I need to take medication? The best way to ease the pain is to rest, avoid putting strain on the back and applying heat to the affected area. If this doesn’t improve matters there are anti-inflammatory creams, pain killers and muscle relaxers which will all help. • Is there any type of exercise to prevent back pain and spinal problems? Moderate daily exercise such as walking or swimming combined with specific exercises to strengthen back muscles, avoiding being overweight and avoiding adopting unnatural positions or lifting heavy weights are the best ways to prevent back problems.

If you have any questions for Dr Perez Belmonte, please send them to: jefemedico@helicopterossanitarios.com

OCIAL

SCENE Classics in town 19 - 25 January 2017

Costa de Almería

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By Eleanor Hawkins HUERCAL-OVERA will be hosting its first classic car rally on Saturday January 29 in collaboration with the Asociacion de Coches Clasicos del Marmol club. Participating vehicles, which are expected to come to town from all over

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Killing for charity

BULLFIGHTING fans are in luck as they will be able to see some of the top names in the c o u n t r y i n Ve r a o n February 26. G r u p o Vi e n t o b r a v o SL, which took over m a n a g e m e n t o f Ve r a bullring last year and reported a positive public response to a bullfighting festival, announced it would be starting the 2017 calendar of events with a festival in aid of Caritas Parroquial charity. Names on the list for the event, which will start at 4.30pm and use bulls from Buenavista, owned by Clotilde Calvo, include Diego Ventura, Manuel Diaz El Cordobes, Francisco Rivera Paquirri, David Fandila El Fandi, Roca Rey and Juan Carlos Benitez.

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Almeria Pprovince and neighbouring Murcia, will tour the area, stopping off at Santa Maria de Nieva, Urcal, El Gor, San Francisco and the Museo del Agua and will end their visit on Plaza Mayor, where the cars will be parking for viewing by the public. So far about 30 car owners have signed up to take part, Tourism

councillor Monica Navarro explained. The councillor said that the event will be very good for the local economy as vehicle owners and visitors will spend their money at local businesses while there for the event. Classic car owners interested in taking part in the event or joining the association, the councillor said, can get in touch on 607 701 468.

CLASSIC CARS: Will tour the area.

Las Migas tour hits Almeria AN unusual Spanish girl group Las Migas have been together since 2004 and mix traditional Flamenco music with latin, folk, jazz, pop and classical music. Having recently returned to Spain from a tour of Cuba, Jamaica and North America, they are bringing their new album Vente Conmigo to venues in Spain and Europe and will be playing at the Teatro Apollo in Almeria City at 9pm on February 4. Consisting of two guitarists from Andalucia, Alicia Grillo and Marta Robles, Catalan singer Alba Carmona and violinist Roser Loscos, the group has now released three albums and a number of videos and is building a steady following. They don’t simply tinker with existing songs and music but are composers in their own right which means they are able to put their personal stamp on all of their compositions whilst at the same time keeping true to the traditions of flamenco. Tickets cost €20 to €25 from the theatre box office or online from the usual sources.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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SOCIAL SCENE

Flamenco in Almeria – real deal MANY visitors to Spain are lured into restaurants which offer Flamenco shows without often understanding the tradition or history behind this very special and not necessarily typical Spanish obsession. This is very much an art form of southern Spain which is attributed to the arrival of the Romany gypsy population which made its way to Spain from India in the 15th century and there is no doubt that many of the most famous Flamenco performers came and continue to come from the gypsy world. It has to be remembered however that Spain in the Middle Ages in particular had a huge cross culture with Jewish settlers and Moors who also added their traditions to the Flamenco style, which was not really recognised until the 18th century. Originally it was dance only, an ex-

pression of the feeling of the performers and their compatriots, but it expanded to include voices and instruments with hand claps and shouts of encouragement from the audience. Nowadays, the Flamenco style is more popular than ever, not just in Spain but on an international basis and it is said that there are more Flamenco academies in Japan than in Spain, whilst in America there are even heavy metal bands who incorporate Flamenco into their musical style. Almeria has a thriving Flamenco culture with at least 18 clubs (known as Peñas) affiliated to the Federation of Flamenco clubs of Almeria (Federacion de Peñas Flamencas de Almeria) and whilst the audience in these small but thriving clubs is predominantly Spanish, most welcome expatriate visitors who want to know more about the music and dance.

Although they serve simple food and drink, these are not drinking clubs but temples to the Canto Jondo (deep song) style which can be very moving, yet to some ears is rather cacophonous. This singing is accompanied by guitar and cajon (the wooden box drum on which the drummer sits). Dance is another intricate part of flamenco with both men and women performing to a very high standard. On occasion you can witness duels between the musicians and the dancers to see who can be the fastest and yet most accurate performer. If making your way to a Peña is a bit daunting, then prior to any Feria, local Peñas will host a Concurso de Cante which is a competition for local artists with the winners being invited to participate with more established artists (often full time professionals and recording artists) in the Festival.

ART FORM: Dance is an intricate part of Flamenco.

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SOCIAL SCENE

MasterChef talents with Garry Waite S a semi-frequent watcher of food programmes such as MasterChef I do still get impressed with some of the contestants. Even after having spent a life time watching and promoting good food, I step back in awe at some of the talent that now exists, especially considering I came from that traditional school of classic food, but have spent my life living and encouraging, modern creative food. The last programme I watched was last year’s Professional Master Chef. I was firstly impressed by the young female contestants. (not being sexist!!) They were young, talented and competitive, a great tribute to the kitchens in which they have been trained and those that trained them.

THE WINNER of MasterChef 2016 was Gary Maclean a 45-year-old Chef/Lecturer in Glasgow. Now, I worked in Glasgow in the early 70’s and I can assure you there were no Chefs like Gary around, even in four star hotels in which I was working! As we all know, there is that age old expression ‘those that can’t do teach!!’ But let me tell you this did not apply to this guy. His creativity, work ethic and conduct were beyond reproach. He kept his cool and dignity throughout what was a very pressurised competition. Congratulations to him and all the others that took part. As Marcus Waring (holder of two Michelin Stars) said, “Gary soaked up every little bit of this competition. He’s lived the Master Chef dream. He’s a major talent, he’s grown incredibly well, and he’s a gentleman of the kitchen.” Wait until he returns to his college the teacher is not just a teacher anymore, he will be a true inspiration! BUT, and hence the purpose of this introduction, I am watching junior MasterChef America. Now we all know how confident (and precocious) the Americans can be, especially the kids!! However it has been eye opening to see kids from the age of nine preparing and presenting dishes of such a high standard. From many walks and areas of life some of these kids are amazing. Once such young aspiring cook (the series call them ‘home cooks?) when asked how often he cooked, informed head judge Gordon Ramsay that he cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner for his family every day!! The saddest thing is when they are eliminated (it is after all a competition!) everyone becomes very emotional, even (this one) the viewer!!

I AM rem ind ed of the qu ote fro m the gr ea t Br iti sh Ch ef an d ho lde r of thr ee Michelin Stars, Marco Pierre White. When he was being interview ed by a young foodie jou rn ali st, wh ile he wa s ch op pin g on ion s, the yo un g scr ibe ask ed ‘do es ch op pin g onions make you cry?’ he replied…..

Gary Maclean: Won MasterChef 2016.

M y de ar gi rl , th e on ly tim e a M ic he lin St ar Ch ef cr ie s is wh en he lo se s hi s star - or gains another.”

lade: The fact of the matter is the award is given to the establishment (and it’s Chef) because if the Chef leaves, then the Star is suspended and the new Chef has to earn the kudos anew! When said departing Chef leaves for pastures new he takes with him ONLY his reputation as a Michelin starred chef and he, like his previous establishment, has to prove in his new operation, that he is worthy of his ranking!

Oscar Jefferson: Reached semi-final. THEN we have another four foot culinary star in Oscar Jefferson. At eight years of age he reached the semi final of the Spanish version of the super MasterChef franchise. But he broke down in tears when his attempt to recreate his Grandfather Michael Jefferson’s traditional British comfort food of Fish and Chips fell short of the mark. Oscar (the name Jefferson was used in the programme to avoid confusion with the Spanish name of Oscar) was comforted by one of the female judges. He got the cooking of the fish wrong, spilt his tartare sauce and ran out of time. The Spanish public fell in love with him and he has done more to cement the special Spanish/ British relationship than most. The inconsolable Oscar was re-assured by his grandfather (who came over from the UK to surprise him) not to worry as it is only cooking, not life and death!! Something our Michelin star chefs should learn!! Although I know how they feel!!! But as always there is a bonus. The young aspiring ended up on ITV’s Good Morning

with Phil Schofield and Holly Willoughby with old colleague Phil Vickery - showing how to cook Fish and Chips!! By the way Phil, use beer rather than fizzy water - makes it special!! WATCHING these programmes takes me back to my beginnings. Over the years I have often been asked where my interest in food began. I used to reply that when I was 14 and was looking for a holiday job, my Mother suggested that I try and find a job in a hotel, as I apparently loved helping my parents with dinner parties and stuff! I did just that, and as a kid started working at the iconic (at the time) Grand Spa Hotel in Clifton, Bristol. But over the years, I realised that for some unknown - and never to be determined - reason I actually used to get up early (6.00am) at my boarding school in Exeter, Devon and go down into the kitchen to help the Headmaster’s wife prepare 70 breakfasts for an array of spotty seven to 13 year olds!

Haute Cuisine and fine dining it certainly wasn’t! But memories still abound (my grandmother made me a white ‘chef’s jacket’) and I remember cutting toast listening to BBC’s morning radio 4!! (highly exiting for a 10year-old!) Maybe the American kids aren’t the only precocious ones!! A GOOD FRIEND of mine, who writes an exceptionally interesting and informative wine and gastronomy column for another local newspaper, and I, have had a long running discussion about the oft over used expression ‘Michelin Star Chef.’ He, correctly in some ways, claims that there is no such thing as a Michelin Starred Chef!! He has reason in his argument, but! - Although the much coveted star (or stars) is awarded to the establishment, it is because of the endeavours of the Chef and his team. Any establishment that is a recipient acknowledges that without the Chef they could not have achieved the acco-

I HAVE KNOWN and worked with a few ‘Michelin Starred Chefs,’ one of them tragically passed away at the age of 59 in 2015. Chris Oakes was one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet. A great Chef, and a real gent in the kitchen too. He gained a star at the Castle Hotel in Taunton, UK and then left to open his own business OAKES of STROUD (Gloucester, UK). In the first year he gained his first Michelin star for that establishment. The following year he gained his second. That became the straw that broke the camel’s back. As anyone who lives/lived in that area knows it was not, at the time, the centre of gastronomic excellence and it proved too much to sustain for the young talented chef who ended up selling his restaurant and getting divorced at the same time! A bi-product of the pressures of our profession. I had not seen Chris since leaving the UK in 1986 and was so pleased that I managed to catch up with him during his first visit to Marbella and have lunch together at Funky Tapas in the year of his passing. He had spent the last few years as Executive Chef at Trinity College Cambridge. He along with many other colleagues is sadly missed. On that note, I will bid you farewell until next week and should aspiring restaurateurs need some help, please do not hesitate to contact me. A toast to Good Food, Good Wine and Good friends.

Garry Waite is a well-known foodie and restaurateur as well as a Hospitality Management Consultant. If you are contemplating setting up an operation in Spain, or indeed having problems with an existing project contact him on garrywaite@euroweeklynews.com.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Selfie-absorbed zombies Guest Columnist Today: Trudy Stewart IF Room 101 existed, one of the things I’d have to put in there is the ‘selfie stick.’ In a world where we are increasingly withdrawing from each other, we have added another obstacle by using a stick that, by its very design, creates a barrier between us and the world we’re engaging with; ironically, to share our experiences and connect with others. I must confess, I have never used one myself. There are several reasons for this but the main one is I’m a bit nervous about whatever it is that the stick transmits from your hand to the rest of your body. From what I can see, for the duration of its use, you become temporarily deaf, partially blind and completely disconnected from the rest of the world

outside the border of your screen. I live in a beautiful, white, mountain village which, naturally, attracts tourists in their droves. Having spent most of the summer cursing under my breath as yet another amateur ‘documentary-maker’ trod on my toes while

watching themselves walking up the street on their screen, I have spent the winter months perfecting a hybrid of dancing and assault course manoeuvres to navigate a course through the endless hordes of selfie stick zombies, shambling

SELFIE STICKS: Create a barrier between us and the world we’re engaging with.

along with their arms raised, oblivious to everything and everyone around them. Of course there are occasions we want to capture forever on film and we have all taken snaps of the perfect sunset or our child’s first day at school. But, there are an increasing number of people who seem underwhelmed by what their boring, old eyes have to offer and prefer instead to view everything through the detached lens of their camera phone. Back when we all just had cameras, a photo album was a common answer when asked ‘What three things would you rescue from your b u r n i n g house?’

Now, photo albums are digital, backed up and for the most part free to share with anyone you want. A doubleedged sword that allows you to save your precious digital memories forever but also means that there is almost no limit to what can be uploaded and shared. Did you watch any videos of your friends’ children performing as shepherd number three in their school nativity play on social media over Christmas? If you see a friend has posted 130 photos to their ‘Day out at Blenheim Palace’ album, do you look through every photo? I know I don’t. So why do we feel this need to document and share everything and who are we doing it for? My friend, American comedian Keith Lowell Jensen, summed it up beautifully for me when he said, “What Orwell failed to see was that we’d go out and buy the cameras ourselves. And that our biggest fear would be that nobody is watching.” Let’s assume they’re not. Make 2017 the year we smash our sticks, give our full attention to each other and remember that some moments are just for us.

Nostalgia sure ain’t what it used to be! Nora Johnson

Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

THE tsunami of revivals and relaunches that hit TV late last year is hardly surprising given the country’s Brexit blues and people craving comfort viewing – pure TV nostalgia. We had revivals of Are You Being Served?, Porridge, and one-off remakes of original episodes from three of the greatest sitcoms: Steptoe And Son, Hancock’s Half Hour and Till Death Us Do Part. Some believe political correctness has killed off dark, alternative TV comedy shows like Psychoville and The Office by overanalysing it - we mustn’t mock this or that. They claim most comedy IS based on laughing at others’ misfortunes which is healthy, acting as a vent for life’s stresses and frustrations. For many, the original versions of Dad’s Army, Open All

TV REVIVALS: Viewing to comfort people with post-Brexit blues. Hours and Porridge are ‘real’ people acting in character (not just a load of actors spouting so-called funny lines) - an era of performers working in front of audiences and feeding from them. Not the dull unblinking eye of a TV camera and

teleprompt for a script that is often nothing more than a string of obscenities in modern sitcoms. It often seems nowadays as if TV is too lazy to bother with anything but four-letter words and lavatory humour, divorced of originality and

interest, relying on hackneyed programmes and repeats. Classic comedy used to hold up a mirror to society; now it just raises its middle finger. However, the problem with any ‘return’ to a format (revivals, nos-

talgia TV) is that, like Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, if the public becomes saturated with a product, they’ll buy it. Give any new TV comedy show a long enough run (like Morecambe and Wise churned out every Christmas) and it becomes an institution (with Lloyd Webber, it’s the coach parties). No, what we really need in 2017 are better writers, better scripts and better sketches. TV worth watching again, then? That’d be a laugh. Finally, a footnote about the UK’s recent cold spell: sub-zero temperatures and arctic blasts from northern and central Europe are no longer good enough for us. PostBrexit, our winters now come from Canada! Nora Johnson’s psychological/ suspense crime thrillers ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.norajohnson.com) available from Amazon in paperback/eBook (€0.99; £0.99) and iBookstore. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Two alleged quad thieves caught By Eleanor Hawkins TWO men, one from Albox and another from Olula del Rio, have been arrested for allegedly stealing a quad and selling its tyres. The owner of the quad reported the theft to the Guardia Civil, explaining that it had been parked in a garage after recent repairs. Investigators were told that the vehicle was worth around €3,000 and that the tyres bore the brand name marked in green paint. The police force began enquiries in the vehicle and quad sale sector and discovered on social media that two people had recently sold a set of quad tyres to a man in Albox. Officers visited the purchaser, who showed them the wheels which turned out to bear the green marks described by the supposed owner.

QUAD TYRES: With distinctive green marks. The police tracked down the two men who had sold the tyres, both in their 20’s and with previous police records

for similar offences and arrested them for alleged theft. The case has been placed in the hands of Purchena court.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Royal British Legion, Zurgena visit Viator

Dennis Hibbert, Excelentisimo Señor, General de Brigada, Juan Jesús Martín Cabrero, and David Robson.

ON Saturday January 14, members of the Royal British Legion, Zurgena Branch and guests, left at 8am to attend the Brigada De La Legion ‘Rey Alfonso XIII’ at Base Militar, Viator, to witness the Parade in Remembrance of the Battle of Edchera, January 1958. Afterwards the parade members enjoyed a lunch at the base. A plaque was presented to Excelentisimo Señor, General de Brigada, Juan Jesus Martin Cabrero, by Zurgena Chairman, Dennis Hibbert

and David Robson, membership secretary, as a memento of the visit. After a very good day the group arrived back to Zurgena at 5.30pm. The Zurgena Branch of the Royal British Legion meet at Latino’s Bar in La Alfoquia on the first Thursday of the month at 10.30am. There is also a coffee morning on the third Wednesday of the month at 10.30am and a Quiz Night on the last Friday of the month at 7.30pm. For membership details contact David Robson davidrossrobson@gmail.com.

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Fighting for school survival By Eleanor Hawkins PARENTS of pupils of Albox’s Francisco Fenoy school, which is due to close down at the end of this academic year, are gathering support and have pledged to fight for its survival. In just hours, the parents’ association collected more than 1,000 signatures in sup-

port of their cause on change.org and hundreds of locals have also signed a petition which will be presented to the Education department. Meanwhile the Partido Popular opposition has announced its intention to present a motion against closure of the school, the oldest in Albox. “The aim of our motion is to get Mayor Francisco Torrecillas and his council team on the side of the people of Albox. “We need the council’s support to demand that the regional government changes its mind and meets its commitments,” said PP spokesman Juan Pedro Perez Quiles.

PUPILS’ PARENTS: Are gathering support.

We feel alone and abandoned by our representatives.” Both the PP and parents of pupils at the school have expressed their disappointment at the council’s support of the closure. “Closing a school is bad news and it cannot be supported by a

council. It’s their job to represent and defend the rights of the people, not just to pick up a cheque at the end of the month,” Perez Quiles said. “We’ve been offered false promises for years and are disappointed that the mayor is supporting the closure. We feel alone and abandoned by our representatives,” said Maria del Mar Alfonso, president of the parents’ association.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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Macael factory future uncertain

FACTORY CLOSED: The company has orders but they haven’t been filled as yet. THE 34 remaining workers at a factory in Macael are uncertain as to their future since they were locked out after the Christmas holidays. The workers, from all over the Almanzora Valley, arrived faithfully outside the padlocked gates at 7.30am each morning to huddle round an oil drum where they burned wood to try and keep warm. A representative explained that the Hank Marmoles factory used to be one of the biggest in the area, with 150 workers, but has gradually gone downhill and now workers are all owed between three and five months’ salary. Administrator Jose Antonio Canovas bought the company in June last year and that, workers claim, was when the problems really started. After the Christmas holidays, the union representative was sent a note explaining that the factory would remain closed while inventories of sup-

plies and equipment were done. “They’ve been promising solutions for months. They owe money to suppliers and haven’t paid out insurance. Worst of all, now they’ve left us out on the streets and we have no idea what’s going on. We have families, mortgages to pay and some of us cannot go on like this,” a spokesman for the workers said. “We have to keep turning up to work, otherwise they could sack us for breach of contract and not pay us off,” he said. Meanwhile Canovas denied there was a problem and told La Comarca local news site: “we informed the workers through the union that the inventory was going to mean closing for a few more days. The factory will reopen soon and those who wish to return to work will be welcome to do so. The company has plenty of orders but for some reason they haven’t been filled.”

Better system under the streets FUNDS allotted to Taberno under the 2017 Provincial Plans will be used to improve drainage and sewerage systems under the village’s streets. Provincial Public Works and Development Delegate Oscar Liria visited Taberno, accompanied by technicians, and examined the areas which need work with local mayor Antonio Martos. Altogether €158,000 will be spent over the next two

years on the work, which although hidden below the streets, will be noticeable as basic services will improve, Liria promised. During the visit, Liria and Martos also walked through the village with the latter pointing out all areas where work is needed, including the AL-7101 road where it passes through Taberno, and a wall which needs reinforcing to improve pedestrian access.

On your bikes THE Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) will pass through t h e A l m a n z o r a Va l l e y i n 2017, with a 188km stage set to pass by Bacares and the famous Collado Ramal climb before ending on the 2,168-metre-high Calar Alto in the Sierra de los Filabres. It will be the first time that a stage has started or ended in Almeria Province since 2009, and the final gruelling 22 kilometre climb up Calar Alto has an average gradient of 6.3 per cent.

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Minimal measures and no response THE Ombudsman for Andalucian Children has once again requested that the Education Board of the Junta de Andalucia publish a report of the antibullying measures that were applied at the IES Rosa Navarro school, Olula del Rio, in the wake of an attack on a 12-yearold boy in September 2016. This is the second time that the office headed by Jesus Maetzu has submitted a written request to the regional authority, following the original request on November 24. “We have not even received a response to date,” said a spokesman. The victim’s family have requested that the protagonist of

the attack and five other children who were harassing him be moved to different schools. However, the only action taken to date was the temporary expulsion of the aggressor, who was suspended for 29 days then moved to a different class on his return, in order to avoid direct contact with the victim. The Office for the Prosecution of Minors did open a case against one of the alleged bullies for a small offence after the incident, which took place inside a classroom shortly after the summer holidays. The victim, meanwhile, has not returned to school and is being

tutored privately at home, where he is under treatment for psychological depression. His lawyer, Juan Morilla, has confirmed he will soon undergo medical tests in order to officially certify his condition in case the matter

goes to court. Morilla says that the child “avoids leaving his home,” while his family report that he suffers “frequent nightmares” and “repeated stressful episodes.”

BOY BULLIED: He is now being tutored at home.

Costa de Almería

19 - 25 January 2017

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

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PROPERTY

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Fabulous news on all fronts By Matthew Elliott LAST year was a spectacular one for Spain’s booming hotel industry as the residential property market shed the last relics of recession. Total investment in Spanish hotels reached an astronomical €2.15 billion in 2016, the second highest year of the decade after 2015. International investors interested in new and ever more luxuriou s h o t e l c o m p lex es a c ro s s Spain are behind the financing surge. Four and five-star hotels are specifically desirable for foreign companies which are expected to increase their Spanish

investment portfolios in 2017. On the residential property front the number of so-called ‘unsellable homes’ is rapidly dwindling. These are homes that were built during the boom years pre-2007 and have

The total number of homes sold in 2016 rose by over a quarter.” been incredibly difficult to sell off since, due to the recession but also often their location and style.

Yet from a peak of 650,000 unsaleable homes in 2009, there are now just over 300,000. In 2016 the number fell by 20 per cent and that feat is expected to be repeated this year. Huge swathes of the country, particularly around the Costas, now no longer have any unsellable homes, while they once seemed destined to be permanently inked on the landscape. The good news comes as the total number of homes sold in 2016 rose by over a quarter to around 445,000. The volume is expected to top the magic half million mark this year.

FOREIGN COMPANIES: Are expected to increase their Spanish investment portfolios in 2017.

Catalonia gold rush IT took a while to gather pace but in 2016 the Spanish government’s golden visa scheme finally took off, celebrated with a flourish of Chinese second-home buyers. The number of Chinese citizens investing in Spanish property rose by 75 per cent last year, contributing €469 million to the state in 666 real estate transactions by November. In the first 10 months of 2016, the government raked in over €1.7 billion from non-EU foreign nationals eager to invest at least €500,000 in Spanish properties in exchange for a permanent visa.

The Chinese, who largely favour Barcelona and Madrid, topped the contribution list ahead of the Russians who

Barcelona’s property market in particular is flourishing under the golden visa scheme.” ploughed in €480 million, chiefly along the Costas. Barcelona’s property market in particular is flourishing under the golden visa

scheme. Foreign buyers now account for over 15 per cent of the market, with the Chinese outspending British and French investors to claim top spot. Wealthy Chinese are drawn to Spain for a variety of factors. Climate, major cities, standard of living and visa-free travel across Europe are hugely important. A key reason, however, is the value for money that Spain represents. Similar visa schemes are offered in other European countries but none offer quite the same combination of pricing, stability and investment prospects that Spain can.

HOUSE PRICES: On average rose 6.5 per cent in 2016.

A new record set PREDICTIONS that 2017 will mark the beginning of the end for skyrocketing UK house prices didn’t stop a new all-time high being set in December. Average house prices rose by almost £4,000 (€4,600) in the last month of the year, the highest monthly increase since the Brexit vote. The average British home finished the year valued at £222,484 (€256,848), marking an annual rise of 6.5 per cent, down on 2015 but still a markedly strong performance. The biggest increases were seen in greater London with Luton and Dagenham clocking average prices almost 20 per

cent higher than in December 2015. Experts still expect the momentum to slow down this year, with prices anticipated to increase a more modest 1 to 4 per cent as economy slows and spending power diminishes. One looming difficulty is the continuing divergence of property prices and wage increases. Prices are going up at roughly five times the rate of average earnings, an untenable situation that will soon contribute to reduced buyer demand. Tenants face the same problem with average rents even outside of uber expensive London now reaching £750 (€865) per month.

HOMES

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WATER features in a garden landscape have been a treasured element since ancient times. The oldest known landscape design named the Sennufera Garden, discovered in an Egyptian tomb dated circa 1400 BC, included ponds as water features. Water features add an ambience of tranquillity, fluidity and contrast to hard landscaping as well as a variety of practical uses. Initially the ponds were for water storage, allowing easy access to water for use in the house, irrigation for the garden, a water source for animals, fish ponds and a refreshing way to cool off. Ponds, fountains and water channels have been an integrated part of Spanish landscape gardens for centuries. The influence of the Persian, Roman, Moors, British and European Renaissance and Baroque gardens are all apparent in Spain. Most traditional water features in Spain tend to be formal in design rather than a replica nature design, such as

in Japanese gardens. The influence of the early church decorating fonts or springs as holy basins and sacred grottos has added to the formality of water design features in Spain. Today a garden design is not complete without a water feature of some kind. Other than for water use in the house, water features can serve similar purposes to ancient days. Swimming pools are included in gardens all over Spain and serve not only as a place to swim but also as a water feature in the garden when well-placed and designed. Natural filtration swimming pools with aquatic plants are gaining popularity in some gardens. Water can be added from the natural rainfall when channelled into the pool and overflow directed into the garden or water storage for the garden. Adding a pond to the garden allows inclusion of a water garden with a range of aquatic plants to add variety to the soil based plants. A pond provides water to attract frogs, dragonflies, terrapins, birds

and can be the garden’s cooling element in summer. Creating waterfalls and placing fountains also gives the relaxing sound of water movement. Of course a pond requires good design and maintenance to provide its benefits. Clean water rather than most treated tap water needs to be used to fill it and the water must not become stagnant. A sustainable ecology to retain water quality has to be developed in the design to minimise maintenance disasters. Water should be recycled to prevent wastage and overflow directed to benefit the garden. Fortunately there is a range of pumps and filters available that can assist in creating a perfect pond or fountain that can become a fascinating focal point in the garden. Decorating a pond with solar lights and lanterns allows a pond to be enjoyed day and night. If you have a confined space, there are plenty of table top fountains and self-contained ornaments with flowing water that can be added to enhance the quality of your garden space indoors or outdoors.

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Water features are a Spanish tradition By Graeme Tyrrell

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

Home organising hacks THERE are plenty of tricks and hacks which can help turn a chaotic, disorganised home into an oasis of calm and tidiness. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to get organised this year, these tips can help you get off to a good start. - Twice the space: Wardrobes apparently crammed to overflowing can be quickly improved by using ring-pulls from drinks cans to double capacity. Simply hang the pull from the handle of one coat hanger and loop the handle of another through the bottom ring. - If you don’t use it, lose it: Books you’ve read and won’t read again, old phones, clothes you never wear… stop hoarding and get rid of the lot! There are plenty of charities which would be grateful for your discards. - That knife drawer: there are two questions you need to ask yourself, to decide whether to keep or bin all the knifes and gadgets lurking at the back. Has it been more than a month since you used it? Do you have something else that works better? If you answer yes to both, it’s time to get rid of it. ROLLING TOWELS: Will make storage easier.

- Orderly laundry: Rolling towels up instead of folding them will make it easier to remove one from the cupboard without creasing or dragging out the rest. Sheet sets can be easily kept together by folding and storing each inside one of its pillow cases. These are just a few little areas which can be quickly and easily organised. If you embrace the attitude and sort out one little bit at a time, within a few weeks you too can have the organised, tidy home you want.

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19 - 25 January 2017

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Personal protection dogs can be good pets David THE Dogman Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

MANY people think a correctly trained personal protection dog is no different to a security dog, guard dog or stereotypical scrapyard dog, this could not be further from the truth. A well-trained personal

protection dog should be of a bold and confident nature, sociable and accepting of people that pose no threat to its owner, owner’s family or property. It should have the ability to accompany it’s owner to the office, out in the car, shopping, or even on a boat. In all of these situations the dog should remain stable, alert and obedient, as a personal protection dog’s first role should be that of a well-mannered obedient pet. The dog should have been well socialised prior to trainbeing trained in a variety of venues and different situations, slowly learning what will be expected of it in its future role, as a pet, companion and protector. Once a dog has been

matched to its new owner, specific training in different environments can be tailored to fulfill a client’s exact requirements. Over the years I have trained and supplied many protection dogs to people from all walks of life. Some originally not understanding the benefits of owning such a dog and others through bad experience of crime, sometimes violent, felt a need for increased personal security. Many of the dogs I was (I am now retired) supplied and trained were sold to families with children thus dispelling another myth that trained dogs and children don’t mix. It is essential to advise clients as to what type of dog would be suitable for their re-

quirements and to try and match a trained dog with the right family or individual. It is vital to ensure that dogs trained and supplied to families are the right dog for them, their family and their lifestyle. Once the match is made, training the future owner and their family how to correctly handle their new dog so they are able to communicate the correct commands and are shown how to work the dog in different ways and in varying situations, is essential. This is as important as initial dog training and should not be skipped as it is a valuable time for early bonding to occur. If mistakes are made by the new handler, they are made under supervision and can be quickly rectified.

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Owner of rescued cats prefers pet-sitting in their own home

COMFY CATS: In their own home. A NUMBER of HouseSitMatch members tell us how they are moved by the plight of stray cats and dogs left to scavenge in the streets of southern Spain. Many times I’ve been asked to find sympathetic and experienced house and pet-sitters to care for rescued animals now living in the homes of caring pet owners. Given safe, and comfortable shelter they are fed and cared for. Once fit and recovered from their ailments they are rehomed. Teresa, apart from her own five cats (most of which she rescued and rehabilitated) continues to collect abandoned cats. With help from the local vets and her own family she nurses them back to health and finds homes for them. Naturally she prefers to keep the animals at home when she travels as they are beginning to find stability and strength. Staying at home helps them to build trust in humans. We find house and pet-sitters for Teresa and other pet owners like her. Perhaps we can help you? Register now for 20 per cent off using coupon code PERFECT20. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! To find a pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on 00 44 (0) 777 214 2742.

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PETS THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6 euros, medium dogs 6.75 euros, big dogs 7.50 euros, cats from 5.25 euros a day . 630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@ gmail.com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.3012.30 and 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (245968)

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WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)

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THE FIVE BONE HOTEL TURRE DOG grooming salon is getting very busy. Anita asks all clients to please book well in advance to avoid disappointment 662 344 734 or the5bonehotelturre@ gmail.com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.3012.30 nd 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (245968)

PLUMBING SERVICES KNOWLES PLUMBING. No 1 for plumbing! Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 950 137 197 or 606 807 797 (245365)

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de AlmerÃa

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SITUATIONS VACANT ARE you self motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/ telesales candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment @euroweeklynews. com WE ARE looking for a full time local reporter for the Almeria edition of our newspaper. Candidates must have relevant experience and Spanish is a bonus. Please contact me for further details ja ckie@euroweekly news.com

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PROPERTY FOR SALE

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19 - 25 January 2017

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On the Porsche Cayenne: “Honestly I’ve seen more attractive gangrenous wounds than this. It has the sex appeal of a camel with gingivitis.” Some might say...

THE UK Car of the Year awards are almost in, with winners just announced in every category and the overall winner to be declared in February. Decided by 27 top British motoring journalists, the awards give a valuable industry insight into what’s hot and what’s not. Best luxury car was the Rolls

Royce Dawn, a decadently opulent convertible version of the Wraith Coupe. Best coupe award went to the Porsche 718 Cayman, which may soon overtake even the esteemed 911. Porsche hit a double with its 718 Boxster named best sports car, now boasting a flat-four turbo engine. But Mercedes managed the double too. It’s

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British car awards 2017 By Matthew Elliott

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27 top British motoring journalists decided the award winners.

two-door S-Class Cabriolet won best cabriolet, while the E-Class was awarded best executive car courtesy of its sleek design and unparalleled interior technology.

Other standouts were the Jaguar FPace which won best large crossover and the Volvo V90, awarded best estate car as the Swedish manufacturer sets its sights on the luxury market. Considered the favourite to steal the overall best car of the year award is the impressive new Ford Focus RS. The 2017 model was launched to rave reviews and won best performance car outright. BEST COUPE: The Porsche 718 Cayman.

Motoring shorts

Detroit’s motor show AMERICA’s Motor City kicked off the 2017 motoring year with its hotly anticipated motor show. Hundreds of thousands of people attended to see the fastest, weirdest, most innovative cars set to hit the market this year. Generating the most buzz was Volkswagen’s camper-van concept aptly named the I.D. Buzz. The electric, autonomous van replicates the iconic 60’s microbus but is clearly just a concept at this stage. What will be on sale this year is the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and a spectacular new Lexus LS with a hydrogen fuel-cell option that was perhaps the show’s most dramatic entrance. Mercedes brought their new AMG GT C with a top speed of 197mph, while Porsche doubled down on its 911 with a GTS version boasting a sevenspeed manual option.

E W N 19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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Sunshine of your love By Matthew Elliott A FERRARI F40 formerly owned by rock and blues legend Eric Clapton has gone up for sale with London luxury car specialists GVE. The 1991 model with under 7,000 miles on the clock was bought by Clapton in 2000, sold three y e a r s l a t e r, a n d i s n o w

FERRARI CLASSIC: The F40.

priced at £925,000 (€1,01 million). The F40 is considered an all time Ferrari classic, an acclaimed 40th anniversary celebration and the last car personally presented by Enzo Ferrari himself. Clapt o n ’s c a r w a s o n e o f j u s t 1,311 produced and boasts a 2936cc engine with a top speed of just over 200mph.

The former Cream singer was an obsessive Ferrari collector. He owned a 275 GTS, a custom-built SP12 EC, and a 250 GT Lusso. The love affair began in the late 60’s when George Harrison arrived at Clapton’s home in style, brandishing a dark blue 356 GTC. Clapton didn’t even have a driving licence but instantly ordered one for the ‘princely sum of four grand’ according to his autobiography.

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19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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ROAD TEST by Nick Fletcher

Infiniti Q30 Premium Tech INFINITI was introduced in 2008 as a stand-alone luxury marque from the Nissan stable and it offers cars which are charismatically designed and beautifully built, and are a stylish alternative to the long-established premium German brands. For many, Infiniti may be a car brand which is still under the radar, but that situation is changing rapidly as sales begin to gain significant momentum in Europe, China and the USA. The Q30 is a good entry to the Infiniti stable, a five seater sporty-looking hatchback models start at £20,550 (€24,311). There are petrol and diesel options and five trim levels. It competes in a sector which includes the BMW 1 Series, the Mercedes A Class and the Audi A3 and many would argue the Q30 has a much more distinctive appearance.

Its bold stylised grille, sleek headlights and large badge make a strong statement. Each time my Q30 Premium Tech test model, costing £31,180 (€36,887), was parked, people came to take a closer look, and most admirers guessed the price at around £50,000 (€59,177). My test car had the 168 hp 2.2 diesel engine with a sixspeed auto gearbox. Top speed is 134 mph and the 0-60 mph time a nippy 8.5 seconds. Even so, fuel economy is very good – 57.6 mpg combined. Ride quality is superb, arguably best in class, and it feels smooth and effortless to drive, with the dual-clutch auto transmission seamless with the gear changes. Handling characteristics are composed and reassuring though the Q30 isn’t the most agile and fun in its class. The cabin has a luxury feel, with quality materials and a

Stats panel: Model: Infiniti Q30 Premium Tech Engine: 2.2 litre diesel Transmission: 6 speed automatic Performance: 0-60 mph 8.5 seconds, top speed 134 mph Economy: 57.6 mpg combined Emissions: 127g/km

nice understated premium look. The front seats are especially comfortable and the rear seats will take three adults although head and legroom is a little compromised. Bootspace is good at 440 litres and can be increased by dropping the split-fold rear seats, though they do not go completely flat. Standard kit on the Premium Tech version includes dual-

BEAUTIFULLY BUILT: It’s a stylish and creditable rival. zone climate control, leather upholstery, wood inserts, powered front seats, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, 7-inch touchscreen, radio/CD Bluetooth, adaptive brake assist, lane departure warning, 18 inch alloys wheels, auto lights and wipers and cruise control. A creditable rival and more of a head turner than most.

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SPORT

19 - 25 January 2017 / Costa de Almería

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Impressive wins for Arsenal, Spurs and Everton and Johanna Konta Tony Matthews International Sports A former player and now the world’s most prolific author of football books with almost 150 published since 1975, Tony is also the sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio and lives on La Pilica in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains overlooking Turre. Costa de Almeria

Looking ahead: WE’RE now deep into the sixth month of the 2016-17 season and checking the various league tables, I feel that there will be tight finishes in at least eight of them - the Premiership (despite Chelsea’s current advantage), the Championship, Leagues 1 and 2, the National League and in the top flights in France, Germany and Italy. Celtic are well clear in the SPL, Hibs, Livingston and

Forfar all look strong in the other three Scottish Divisions and Real Madrid seem to be in control of La Liga. The African Cup of Nations is now underway and ties this week include Cameroon v Guinea Bissau, Congo DR v Morocco, hosts Gabon v Burkina Faso, Ghana v Uganda, Mali v Egypt and Senegal v Zimbabwe. Several FA Cup third round replays took place on Tuesday and last night, among them non-Leaguers Sutton United at AFC Wimbledon and Lincoln City v Ipswich, plus Burnley v Sunderland, Crystal Palace v Bolton, Newcastle v Birmingham, Plymouth v Liverpool and Southampton v Norwich. The top Premiership games

ARSENAL ON FIRE: As they thrashed Swansea 4-0.

on Saturday feature Liverpool versus Swansea (who last Saturday afternoon crashed 4-0 at home to Arsenal)… Manchester City (who were battered 40 by Everton five days ago) versus Spurs (fresh from a 4-0 home win over WBA courtesy of Harry Kane’s hat-trick)… and Stoke against Manchester United who’s eight-match winning run came to an end last Sunday against the Reds from Anfield). Twenty-four hours later, it’s Arsenal against Burnley... Chelsea versus Hull City... and Southampton against inconsistent Leicester City, who crashed 3-0 at home to Antonio Conte’s team last Saturday. Second-placed Brighton play Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship tomorrow night and on Saturday/Sunday it’s two of the league’s founder members Aston Villa v PNE… a Yorkshire showdown between Barnsley and Leeds… Derby County

v Reading… Huddersfield v Ipswich… leaders Newcastle United v Rotherham… out-ofform Norwich City v Wolves… and QPR versus Fulham in a London derby. North of the border, non-leaguers Bonnyrigg Rose and Formantine United will be aiming to cause upsets in the Scottish Cup fourth round against Hibs and Partick Thistle respectively, likewise Albion Rovers against Celtic. We have the second legs of the League Cup semi-finals next week with Liverpool (a goal down) playing Southampton on Wednesday January 26 and Manchester United (2-0 up) visiting Hull 24 hours later. Wembley stages the final on February 26. Kevin Nolan has taken charge at Notts County, the club’s 50th managerial change in 50 years; Justin Edinburgh is Northampton’s new boss, John Sheridan is back as Oldham’s manager and Chris

Humphries has moved in at Chesterfield. Round up: The Australian Open tennis championships are underway in Melbourne where GB have high hopes with Sir Andy Murray and Johanna Konta who last week warmed up by lifting the Sydney International trophy with victory over Agnieszka Radwanska. Dan Evans (singles) and Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares (doubles) lost in their respective finals. Rugby Union’s European Cup continues this weekend with Montpellier v Northampton tomorrow; Leicester v Glasgow, Munster v Racing 92, Saracens v Toulonnaise and Ulster v Bordeaux on Saturday and Zebre v Wasps, Sunday. Former football manager of Lincoln, Watford, Aston Villa, Wolves and England, Graham Taylor (aged 72) and jockey Brian Fletcher (69), three-time Grand National winner, twice

on Red Rum, both sadly died last week. RIP. GB Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson has injured himself in a freak fall off the parallel bars. Sam Sunderland has become the first Brit to win the Dakar Car Rally. Justin Thomas (USA) posted the lowest 36-hole score in PGA history when carding a 123 in Hawaii. He then equalled the world record for 54 holes (188). The first one day cricket international between India and England ended in a three wicket win for the hosts (356-7 against 350-6) before 52,000 spectators in Pune’s MCA stadium. The second game took place in Cuttack this morning and the third is in Kolkata on Sunday. Two T20 games follow on January 26/29. Holder Ronnie O’Sullivan (after a scare in the opening round) is favourite to win a record seventh UK Masters snooker title which is underway at London’s Ally Pally.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is the ‘REAL DEAL’ By Tony Matthews

DID YOU KNOW? THIS is what an unnamed Chinese football club has offered Chelsea’s Diego Costa: • £30m a year salary • £2.5m a month • £576,900 a week • £82,191 a day • £3,424 an hour • £57 a minute • 95p a second Players on higher wages: Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) both earn £31.98m a year and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) is paid £34.95m per annum.

EARLIER this month, the former Manchester United and current Real Madrid and Portuguese international forward Cristiano Ronaldo, became the first recipient of the FIFA World Player of the Year award… adding this accolade to the Ballon d’Or prize he won at the end of last year. In fact, the irresistible goal-machine has now won the prestigious Ballon d’Or a record four times, having previously collected the coveted trophy in 2008, 2013 and 2014 - the most by any European player. Now regarded as being one of the greatest marksmen in football history, as at January17, 2017 Ronaldo had netted a staggering 595 goals in 873 games for club, country (U15, U17, U20, U21 and senior levels) and FIFA, including 382 in just 369 appearances for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Ronaldo, who has already been named as the best Portuguese player of all time by his country’s Football Federation, is the only player to win four European Golden Shoe (boot) awards. He is without doubt one of the most marketable athletes in world sport. In 2016 Forbes named Ronaldo as the world’s best paid athlete and in June 2016, ESPN ranked him as the world’s most famous athlete. Born Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro on February 5, 1985 in Santo Antonio, Funchal, Madiera, he was an amateur with CF Andorinho and Nacional, eventually starting his professional career with Sporting Club Portugal before transferring to Manchester United at age 18 in 2003. In his first season in England, he helped the Reds win the FA Cup (2004) before starring for United as they clinched three successive Premier League titles (2007-09), won the UEFA Champions League (2008) and also the FIFA Club World Cup. At the age 23, he had already received Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations before becoming the world’s most expensive footballer when he moved from Old Trafford to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for €94 million (£81.52 million). With Real here in Spain, he has since won La Liga, two Copas

del Rey, two Champions League titles and two Club World Cups… and suspects there will more trophies coming to the Bernabeu in the not tool distant future! Ronaldo, who holds the record for most goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League season, 17 in the 2013-14 season, also became the fastest player to score 200 goals in La Liga when he reached that magic milestone in 2014, which he achieved in only his 178th appearance in the competition. The only player in the history of football (worldwide) to net 50 or more goals in a season on six consecutive occasions, in 2015, Ronaldo became the all-time top marksman in the Champions League. He also became Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, but perhaps not surprisingly he is currently the second highest scorer in La Liga history behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi, his perceived career rival. On the international front, Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal in August 2003, at the age of 18 and right now he is his country’s most capped player of all time with 136 under his belt and also the top scorer with 68 goals to his credit. He has participated in seven major tournaments - four UEFA European Championships (2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016) and three FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014) - and, of course, captained Portugal to victory in last season’s European Championship, having taken over the skipper’s armband in July 2008. He led his country into the semi-finals at Euro 2012, finishing as joint-top scorer, and in November 2014, he became the alltime top scorer in the UEFA European Championship (including qualifying rounds) with an overall total of 23 goals. At Euro 2016, he became the most capped player of all-time in the tournament. The first player to score at four consecutive European Championship finals he also equalled Frenchman Michel Platini’s all-time record for most goals scored in the competition.

E W N Costa de Almería

19 - 25 January 2017

“With this policy change we are helpless,” said Chinese billionaire club owner Shu Yuhui, responding to the new only three foreigners ruling.

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Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport

Marina Golf - the end of an era THE Marina Phoenix Golf Society is based at the Marina Golf Club in Mojacar. For many years the Society at the Marina Golf Club have been under the efficient stewardship of Jim and Margaret Budd. At the recent AGM of the Society before Christmas, Jim and Margaret announced to members’ surprise that they would not be putting themselves forward for re-election to the committee for the coming season, thus bringing to a close their brilliant management of the activities of the society. Jim and Margaret originally hail from Yorkshire, something that they are both very proud of. They share a wide interest in all sports particularly the ups and downs of the English cricket team and Manchester United with which they have had a long association. When they moved to Spain from the UK they built their new home and have settled into their local community very happily. Both being keen golfers they joined the fledgling Marina Golf Club in Mojacar. They got involved with the emerging Society and in due course Jim became the Captain with Margaret taking

PRESENTATION: Jim and Margaret Budd are retiring. over as Secretary-Treasurer. It did not stop there of course as other related tasks, handicaps and Society PR were willingly taken on by them. While some of these jobs have since been taken up by others, Jim and Margaret remained at the core of the Society. Organisation is a key word to describe their commitment. On the social side of things Jim and Margaret excelled. They are very generous hosts at their own home, and many members also enjoyed their company at their favourite restaurants in Casa Joya or Crisbies. Jim of course is a great singer

and many evenings were finished off with his favourite songs. Their family remain living in England where in recent years they have been made proud grandparents. Family visits for them to the UK and the family to Spain are very important. At the presentation evening of the Society in late November Jim’s and Margaret’s service was marked by a few presentations to them on behalf of Society members and friends. The members of the Society wish them both a happy retirement from their tireless efforts.

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Aguilon Golf report AS all golfers are eternal optimists, always thinking the next round will be better than the last one, we wish the golfing fraternity ‘feliz año nuevo.’ Wednesday January 4 - Monthly Medal What a good way to start the new year with the dreaded ‘medal round.’ A cold windy start soon gave way to a sunny benign day, but the fast greens kept all the players on their toes. 1st Lynne Whibley 96-25 = 71 2nd Louis Long 92-20 = 72 on a card play off 3rd Phil Miles 82-10 = 72 Two’s: only two, Phil Miles, Gill Vine 12th Wednesday January 11 Campbell Lamont Qualifier The sixth qualifying round was played in difficult conditions with a blustery wind combining with lightning speed

MEDAL WINNER: Lynne Whibley. greens to ensure that points scoring did not come easy. 1st Kevin Manser 36 pts 2nd Rabbe Thun 34 pts 3rd Norman Whibley 33 pts Two’s: Roy Lewis 3rd, Steve Vine 12th, Chris Tyler, Gill Vine 14th, David Lees, Ann Miles, Dave Sharp 17th. For further information log on to the website www.aguilon membersclub.com.